Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti on Thursday (11/01) said the ministry will keep the controversial ship-sinking policy to deter illegal fishing. (Antara Photo/Jessica Helena Wuysang)

Pangandaran. The Indonesian government has sunk an illegal fishing ship, FV Viking, in Pangandaran, West Java, on Monday (14/03) in a move to reiterate the country's aspiration to become the world's maritime axis, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said in a statement.

The 1,332-gross-ton vessel was captured by the Indonesian Navy in the waters off Tanjung Uban in Bintan, Riau, on Feb 26, the statement said. The vessel, which was on Interpol's most wanted list, had changed its name 13 times and used 12 different flags to elude maritime authorities in many countries.

"[The sinking of] Viking is a display of the Indonesian government's efforts and commitment to eradicate illegal fishing," Susi said.

At least 11 crewmembers of FV Viking, comprising of Burmese, Argentinian, Peruvian and Indonesian nationals, have also been arrested. Susi said the government would soon prosecute the owners and crew of the stateless vessel with navigation violations and illegal fishing charges, adding that they may face up to seven years in prison and Rp 20 billion ($1.5 million) in fines.

According to Susi, a multilateral investigation support team from Canada and Norway will help the ministry's anti-illegal fishing task force and the navy to investigate the ship's illegal fishing activities.

"Support and cooperation from Singapore and Thailand, where FV Viking used to visit, are very important to reveal the [true] owner of the ship," Susi explained.

President Joko Widodo has declared war on foreign vessels illegally fishing in Indonesian waters and has taken a strong stance by vowing to sink them. The ministry has so far scuttled more than 150 vessels operating illegally.