The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is strengthening its surveillance system in the North Natuna Sea by constructing 10 new surveillance vessels while expanding dock facilities at the Batam Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance (PSDKP) Base. This step is being taken to increase the effectiveness of securing maritime areas that have historically been hotspots for illegal fishing activities.
The Vice Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Didit Herdiawan, stated that the additional patrol fleet is part of the government’s strategy to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF) practices, especially in the Fisheries Management Area of the Republic of Indonesia (WPPNRI) 711, which encompasses the North Natuna Sea.
According to Didit, the construction of large surveillance vessels must be balanced with the readiness of supporting infrastructure. Therefore, the government is also developing the Batam PSDKP dock to ensure it is capable of servicing the operations of the new fleet, which is currently in the construction phase.
With these additions, the number of surveillance vessels operated by KKP will increase from 34 units to 44 units. The strengthening of the fleet is expected to expand patrol coverage while accelerating responses to violations in Indonesia’s maritime border areas.
The Director General of PSDKP KKP, Pung Nugroho Saksono, explained that Batam was selected as the main base due to its strategic location to support surveillance operations in the North Natuna Sea. The area is considered to have a high level of vulnerability to the activities of foreign fishing vessels poaching illegally.
He added that the presence of a larger dock will enhance the operational efficiency of large-sized surveillance vessels, allowing security operations in border areas to run more optimally and sustainably.
The construction of the fleet and the development of the dock facilities are being carried out under the guidance of the Attorney General’s Office of the Republic of Indonesia. This assistance aims to ensure that all project phases proceed in compliance with regulations, transparently, and accountably.
The North Natuna Sea is a region with vast fisheries resource potential while directly bordering several countries. This condition frequently makes the area a target for fish poaching practices by foreign vessels.
Throughout 2025, the Directorate General of PSDKP took action against 41 vessels involved in fisheries violations. Of that number, six were foreign vessels—consisting of five Vietnamese-flagged vessels and one Malaysian-flagged vessel—while the other 35 were Indonesian fishing vessels.
