The Wire

In a week where there has been much criticism of the failings of the Indonesian justice system in its treatment of Schapelle Corby, THE WIRE looks at the difficulties Indonesian fishermen are facing in detention, and before the Australian courts. As recently as April, Operation Clearwater captured more than 20 Indonesian vessels and nearly 200 crew members: Australia’s largest ever crackdown on illegal fishing. After being apprehended by Australian authorities, Indonesian fishermen are detained in exceedingly confined conditions on their own boats, often for some weeks before charges are laid. There are reports of inadequate provisions, a lack of sanitary facilities and no way of accessing help in an emergency. So far, two Indonesian fishermen have died in detention, attracting in one instance the censure of the Coroner investigating the death. Difficulties for the traditional fishermen began in 1979 when Australia negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indonesian government. The result meant only those considered traditional fishermen would be allowed to continue fishing a vastly reduced area. But the agreement defines traditional only in relation to the technology of their seafaring practices, rather than the fact they’ve been fishing the Timor Sea for several centuries. The Wire spoke to Dr Ruth Balint of the University of New South Wales who highlighted the absurdity of the situation.