Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is one of Southeast Asia’s most persistent maritime security challenges. Indonesia, the owner of the region’s largest maritime area, has expanded patrols in its most contested waters, added community surveillance, and expanded international partnerships to address the threat. As the world’s largest archipelagic country, maritime security is one of Indonesia’s most demanding defense domains. And at its current stage, Indonesia needs significant help.
The North Natuna Sea, which lies along the southern portion of the South China Sea, is a hotspot for commercial fishing. Home to over 750,000 tons of fish stock, is among the areas where China’s sweeping South China Sea claims overlap Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Yet despite stepped up maritime law enforcement by Indonesia’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), illegal activities – including, but not limited to, IUU fishing – continue.
Indonesia is not starting from zero. Since the 2019-2020 confrontations near the Natuna Islands, the government has expanded the Indonesian Navy and Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) patrol programs, incorporated fishermen and community surveillance into maritime surveillance through the Kelompok Masyarakat Pengawas (POKMASWAS) program, and distributed communications equipment to selected fishermen communities. Yet these initiatives remain unevenly distributed and insufficiently connected to the agencies responsible for verification and enforcement.
