This time no observer boats can get near the area of the tending boat because it tries to chase and ram any that do. The boat that transports the fish from the net leaves before daylight in the morning and returns only after dark. The permit for these fishing activities expired last week but the Fisheries Dept. in North Sulawesi renewed their permit. They are most likely illegally harvesting these migratory fish stocks and, of course, the best time to harvest is when the populations are at their peak. The issue is supposed to be before the Indonesian justice system but word has it that the military is deeply involved with the traps and that there is infighting in the government between the military and those who oppose this very destructive method of fishing.
Word also has it that one of the ministers is suing the military for damages to the fish stocks.
Because of the military involvement at very high levels, no one can risk speaking out in Indonesia. Those people who were involved with the first trap incident have reason to believe their activities are being monitored and are thus very limited in what they can say or do. Please bring pressure on Indonesia, Taiwan, etc. The Lembeh Strait Preservation Society is continuing its efforts to have the area declared a marine park but this has not happened yet and with political infighting, it may never happen.