Maritime Security Needs Partnership

Increasing maritime security is urgent amidst the vulnerability of transnational crime at sea.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

Security officers patrol around Marina Pier, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, Monday (8/5/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Norwegian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Andreas M Kravik, stated that maritime security is important in the country's economic development. However, there are major challenges in maritime security that must be faced, including organized environmental crime and transnational crime at sea; piracy; illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing or IUUfishing; as well as human slavery.

Meanwhile, as much as 80 percent of world trade is transported via sea. Disruptions to supply and distribution at sea also have the potential to threaten the world economy and security.

"We are globally faced with increasingly fierce competition for resource dominance. This has become complex and multidimensional as there are several countries attempting to challenge order, use force, and violate the sovereignty of other nations," he said in the Seminar "Maritime Security for A Sustainable Ocean Economy" held by the Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy in Jakarta, Tuesday (30/4/2024).

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Andreas added that overfishing and climate change are also threats to maritime security. Environmental degradation multiplies the risks to stability and inequality. On the other hand, population growth, the concentration of community activities in coastal areas, and the increasing activity on land continue to put pressure on the sea. All of these risk factors are considered interrelated.

Efforts to address maritime security issues, among others, are implemented through innovative technology development. However, along with digital transformation in the maritime industry, the complexity of vulnerability is also increasing. More and more actors or criminal perpetrators are using cyber and hybrid methods to target maritime infrastructure, including underwater pipes and cables.

"Maritime security needs to be continuously enhanced, including the resilience of maritime infrastructure and sea navigation to protect oneself from various security threats," he said.

In the same event, Commander of the Indonesian Navy's Fleet Admiral Denih Hendrata stated that the role of maritime security is extremely vital in protecting maritime security, supporting economic development, and ensuring human safety, which is the target of sustainable blue economy. Indonesia's national security, including maritime security, is the responsibility of all parties.

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According to the source, with a budget of only 5 percent of the National Budget (APBN), the strength and capability of the Indonesian Navy (AL) is still limited in reaching national jurisdictional waters. However, the Navy remains consistent in carrying out their duties. Koarmada RI is tasked with implementing operations that can have a deterrent effect on those who will carry out illegal activities in Indonesia, including collaborating with other law enforcement agencies.

For example, throughout 2023 and 2024, the collaboration of three pillars, namely the supervisor fisheries of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), the Indonesian Navy and the Maritime Security Agency will continue to monitor the North Natuna Sea, so that fishing vessels Vietnamese and Chinese foreigners, as well as Vietnamese fisheries monitoring vessels and Chinese coast guards, are not considered to be causing problems in the North Natuna Sea. In this area, Indonesian fishing activities are considered to be still minimal.

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN

A joint team consisting of the Wetar Koramil, Battalion 734 Task Force, and Marines, boarded a fishing motorboat used for sea patrols on Tuesday (9/8/2022). The patrol was conducted in the waters of Wetar Island, Maluku, on the border between Indonesia and Timor Leste.

Acting Director General of Capture Fisheries at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) TB Haeru Rahayu added that the KKP continues to be consistent in fighting IUU fishing, including by implementing satellite-based technology to monitor sea vessels, measurable fishing policies based on quotas, as well as encouraging fishing villages to be more productive and independent.

On the other hand, development in the marine and fisheries sector based on the blue economy continues to be pursued, even though its implementation is acknowledged to be challenging. The biggest challenge in implementing the blue economy is to encourage the understanding of Indonesia's 270 million population in understanding the basic concepts of the blue economy, which is balancing economics and ecology.

"To create economic balance and environmental resilience, the government must create several instruments such as strict monitoring and law enforcement," said TB Haeru.

Also read: Sustainable Maritime Economy Needs to be Optimized

Meanwhile, CEO of Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative, Mas Achmad Santosa, stated that the blue economy principle is a sustainable maritime economy. The government and law enforcement agencies have a job to make the blue economy a concrete policy. Ecological priority is the main consideration above economic and political considerations.

Previously, Greenpeace Indonesia appreciated the KKP for successfully arresting an Indonesian fishing vessel which was suspected of carrying out patgulipat practices with foreign fishing vessels in the form of transshipment of illegal fish at sea, smuggling of fuel oil (BBM), and slavery of fishing boat crew. However, he highlighted policy gaps that open up opportunities for IUU fishing.

According to Greenpeace Indonesia Marine Campaigner Sihar Silalahi, fish transshipment activities at sea are vulnerable to leading to IUU fishing. "The government's policy of allowing transshipment of fish at sea without strict control and monitoring requirements has created a large gap for IUU fishing actors to operate," he said.

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