Detained Vietnamese fishermen return home from Indonesia
Twenty-eight Vietnamese fishermen, who were arrested by Indonesian authorities for accidently fishing in Indonesia’s seas, were flown home on June 19.
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Most of the fishermen are from the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau and the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang. They were captured in Indonesia for two months. They were sent back to Vietnam through Soekarno Hatta International Airport.
Indonesia also repatriated two Vietnamese captains on June 16 after two years’ detention.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia is working to complete procedures for more than 20 fishermen to return home next week.
The Embassy always asked the fishermen and boat owners to be aware of regulations on fishing areas while taking on offshore activities to avoid violations of foreign sea territory, said Tran Minh Cu, First Secretary of Vietnamese Embassy to Indonesia.
From the outset of this year, more than 500 Vietnamese fishermen have been captured by Indonesian forces for encroaching upon their sea areas, doubling the figure in the same period last year.
Indonesia affirms that it continues strict measures on vessels operating illegal fishing. Two months ago, the country destroyed 23 foreign fishing boats, with some from Vietnam.
