Batam - The Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries (KKP) has added two fast canal-type fisheries surveillance fleets.

The two fleets, namely KP Hiu 16 and KP Hiu 17, were inaugurated by the Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono at the Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervisory Base (PSDKP) Batam, Tuesday (9/3/2021).

Trenggono said the addition of the two fleets was to strengthen supervision in the State Fisheries Management Area of ​​the Republic of Indonesia (WPP-NRI) 571-Malacca Strait and 711-Laut Natuna Utara.

"The speed of these two fleets far exceeds our existing surveillance fleets," he said.

This fisheries supervisory fleet will also strengthen supervision of marine and fishery resources and eradicate illegal fishing.

He promised to continue adding to a larger and more sophisticated surveillance fleet. "I want to gradually build a frigate-class fisheries supervisory fleets," he said.

The Shark Supervisory Ship 16 and Shark 17 are two new fleets owned by the KKP. Fishery Supervisory Fleets are class C fleets with a length of 30-40 meters.

This fleet has a speed of up to 29 knots. Currently, KKP has 30 units of fishery control fleets which are at the forefront of monitoring marine and fishery resources and eradicating illegal fishing.

Trenggono added that he would create a base class base in the Natuna region, to strengthen surveillance at sea.

According to him, Natuna is very vulnerable, because it borders Malaysia, Vietnam, and China.

"That is our concern, to continue to strengthen supervision of illegal fishing," he said.