VESSEL-SINKING POLICY TO ADDRESS THE INTERNATIONAL ILLEGAL FISHING IN INDONESIA UNDER JOKO WIDODO’S FIRST ADMINISTRATION 2014 – 2017

Abstract

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU) is the main problem of Indonesia’s coastal society which affected the national economy and underwater environment. The large losses because of IUU fishing which done mostly by foreign vessels among Indonesian water territory has triggers Indonesian government to increase the security and regain sovereignty over the water area and border. However, this thesis would analyse the Vessel-sinking Policy which done by Indonesian government in order to do law enforcement upon illegal foreign vessels that conducts IUU fishing and analysing the impact domestically and internationally in which covers the policy-making process, and the output of the policy itself. In this thesis, the data that has been collected mainly from books, journals, and related news and conducted research mainly through online research. However, the sources are mainly ranged from 2014 to 2017 in order to make a structured analysis, although, there are also research conducted before and beyond 2014 to 2017. Thus, the limitation of the study would be the first period of Joko Widodo’s presidential cabinet. Based on the analysis, it is found that the loss of Indonesian fisheries sector is around USD$3 billion or Rp45 trillion every year caused by IUU fishing. This was caused by lack of proper surveillance and infrastructure especially on the border such as Natuna Islands. However, the establishment of Vessel-sinking Policy itself is the result of securitising the Indonesian maritime sector from IUU fishing. Around 2014 to 2017 under minister Susi Pudjiastuti, there are approximately 248 foreign vessels that has been sunk, which increasing each year. This action boost the Indonesian maritime economic as Indonesian coastal society could regain and reutilise their natural resources, although this policy is described as very assertive by several countries that affected and couple Indonesian politician which later could damage the relations especially among ASEAN countries. However, this policy also significantly reduce the number of IUU fishing and increase the maritime economic.