NECESSARY TO FORM AUSTRALIA-INDONESIA JOINT FISHING ZONE Timor Sea observer Ferdi Tanoni said Australia and Indonesia should immediately form a joint fishing zone in the Timor and Arafura Seas in order to prevent the entry of illegal fishermen from other countries and stop people smuggling in to Australia, as the answer of the view from the new Australian PM Tony Abbot. " The views expressed by new Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott that that Australia would buy old fishing boats and pay village wardens to ‘dob in’ people smugglers" to prevent people smuggling in to Australia , is not an attractive idea , " said Tanoni who is also Chairman of the West Timor Care Foundation ( WTCF ) in Kupang on Monday . Tanoni, former immigration agent to the Australian Embassy expressed that PM Tony Abbott’s sugestion is interesting enough , but has given the impression that Australia has intervened in the internal affairs of Indonesia. " This view may be positive for Australia, but for us as an Indonesian, it is precisely the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia has intervened . Modest step needs to be developed between the two countries that is forming a joint fishing zone in the Timor and Arafura Seas, " he said . Author of " Timor Sea Scandal , A Canberra-Jakarta Political Economy Barter " , said the moderate solution he offered is very positive,simple and not complicated steps to be implemented,actually was conveyed about nine years ago to the Northern Territory Government Australia in Darwin . " I suggest that the Australian Fishing Zone developed together with Indonesia,so our fishermen ( Indonesia ) not treated arbitrarily by the Australian Navy patrol when looking for fish and other marine life in the Timor Sea , " he said . Joint Fishing Zone meant , he said , serves as a buffer zone for the Australian and Indonesian fishermen to catch fish and other marine life in the waters of the Timor and Arafura Sea , as well as the main stronghold in an effort to prevent people smuggling to Australia . Moreover , he added , fishermen of both countries also equipped with advanced communication technology as well as a more modern boat facilities in order to serve as the eyes and ears for both the government prevents the entry of illegal fishermen from other countries as well as people smuggling in to Australia . " They can give preliminary information or early warning to the two governments on the movements of illegal fishermen from other countries who steal fish and other marine resources in joint fishing zone and as well as people smuggling from Indonesia to Australia , " said Tanoni . He added that moderate suggestions submitted to the Government of Northern Territory Government of Australia in Darwin about the formation of the Joint Fishing Zone responded very positively , but could not be pursued because of this affairs entirely depends on the authority of the Federal Government of Australia in Canberra . According to him , the establishment of the Australian-Indonesian Joint Fishing Zone is the best choice for Prime Minister Tony Abbott to answer his concerns about people smuggling into the country , rather than have to buy the old boats and pay village wardens in Indonesia to take these actions . "The Government of Australia under the leadership of Tony Abbott needs to continue to open their eyes and hearts , and be friendship with Indonesian traditional fishermen , not the other way arrest and prosecute them and burned their boats with a cliche and charged them such as take fish and other marine life illegally in Australian waters , " he said
Posted on: Mon, 16 Sep 2013 20:34:36 +0000