Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) will implement a strategy to monitor fishing activities in the Indonesian waters by using satellites.The ministry will implement Integrated Surveillance System technology or technology-based integrated surveillance using satellites.

“KKP Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono developed a monitoring strategy using satellites and is currently in the process of purchasing 20 nanosatellites to learn the fishing vessels’ operational pattern,” the ministry’s Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervision, Rear Admiral Adin Nurawaluddin, stated in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on Friday.

He explained that the operational pattern for the Integrated Surveillance System begins with satellite monitoring. After obtaining the results of satellite monitoring, his side will be able to find ships that potentially violate the regulation.

Based on identification, officers will use air patrol or airborne surveillance aircraft to validate the findings of violations from the satellite. If a violation is found, the monitoring ship will approach the fishing vessel’s location.

“For example, in satellite monitoring, a ship is captured at SIPI 711, but it is fishing at 712. It clearly violates the regulation. With satellite monitoring, we can observe such things,” Nurawaluddin explained.

With 90 operating days and a large area of water that needs to be monitored, this technology-based monitoring can be more effective, he stated.

However, monitoring vessels are still needed in border areas, especially in regions where border agreement issues had not yet been resolved, he remarked.

“Including in Malacca Strait and the North Natuna Sea that remain under direct supervision,” he noted.

Earlier, Minister Trenggono stated that the 20 nanosatellites would be launched and begin operating in 2024.

He conveyed this at the National Maritime Seminar on September 29 to commemorate National Maritime Day.

He remarked that the nanosatellite launch is part of the marine space management strategy being developed by his side to support blue economy-based development.

He noted that the nanosatellites will later be used to map activities and conditions at sea.

Source: Antara News Agency