Green dots are fishing boats monitored in real time every hour

The InterMinisterial Meeting at DKP was attend by Department of Foreign Affairs, Central Military Command, National Police,  Immigration, Customs, Homeland Security, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Sea Communications, Tourism, Army, Navy and comprehensive team from DKP Jakarta, DKP Provincial level and DKP Mentawai, Mentawai Resort owners and the MMTA.

History of development of Marine Tourism in West Sumatra was outlined by MMTA Chairman Roberthyl Saogo and MMTA Advisory Board member Rick Cameron. Foreign boats were welcomed in the early day of development in Mentawai before any infrastructure was in place. Now resorts are in conflict with foreign owned boats that are refusing to respect Mentawai legislation and Indonesian law.

The meeting resolved to coordinate all departments involved in the issue of CAIT (Vessel Entry Clearance) and passenger permits to foreign flag boats and all departments agreed to support the legitimate resort industry to ensure that land based investment was encouraged for the Mentawais and for other Regencies with undeveloped small islands. The need for a coordinated reporting protocol was discussed and DKP will now follow up with bilateral discussions with Department of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, Customs and Sea Communications. DKP spokeperson mentioned that just a simple sms message could activate DKP to coordinate with all relevant enforcement agencies to stop illegal fishing activities.

MMTA and DKP teams discuss the system

MMTA and the Head of Mentawai DKP, Bp Eddi Sukarni were invited to a coordination meeting with the DKP VMS team. After tour of the facility the technical issues were discuss. The DKP system has reserve capactity for many thousands more boats. Software and internet gateway can be provided in partnership with DKP.

Equipment and air time will be paid by boats with cost of US$1,200 plus tax for transponder and Rp6 million per year for air time. Bp Eddi Sukarni suggest that all passenger boats in West Sumatra Province should be fitted with VMS for safety and coordination with all enforcement agency. This will now be discussed at National and Provincial level.

This system is much lower cost than patrol boat and more effective for coodination of tax collection.