TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Orca 04 Patrol Vessel owned by the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries intercepted the MV Silver Island, a vessel flying the flag of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Central Africa, in the Sulawesi Sea on Friday, May 29, 2026. The interception which led to a capture was made because MV Silver was found attempting to smuggle live Napoleon fishes weighing a total of around 1.2 tons to Hong Kong.
The Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), Pung Nugroho Saksono, stated that the foreign vessel had long been a target of operation. “This capture is our action from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries,” said Ipunk, Pung’s nickname, during a press conference at the Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance Base in Bitung, Wednesday.
He revealed that MV Silver had disabled the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to avoid tracking by the authorities. Nevertheless, the vessel was still traceable and was captured precisely in the waters between Nunukan and Toli-toli.
Ipunk disclosed that the smuggling was carried out by hiding the fish in a secret compartment that was modified to resemble a regular warehouse. “The Napoleon fish was placed in an unusual part of the vessel, which is difficult for inspection officers to access. The door is even secret and must go through the ship’s spare part warehouse.”
When discovered, it was revealed that there were hundreds of live Napoleon fishes, totaling 1.2 tons. “Maybe the number is up to more than 900,” he said.
From the examination of the cargo documents, MV Silver was only listed to carry grouper fish. Ipunk mentioned that the vessel was known to have departed from Sumenep, East Java. The vessel’s owner is known to be a foreign national from Hong Kong, while the captain is also of foreign nationality.
The estimated state losses if the smuggling had succeeded would reach Rp 16 billion. Ipunk calculated it based on the amount of Napoleon fish cargos, which are included as protected marine species in Indonesia and prohibited from international trade. It also took into account the potential revenue for the state, both in terms of taxes and non-taxes, that should have been paid.
The KKP implicated the suspects with Article 88 in conjunction with Article 16 of Law Number 31 of 2004 concerning Fisheries, with a maximum prison sentence of six years and a maximum fine of Rp 1.5 billion. “We will continue this case to legal proceedings. We will delve into and develop it according to the findings available,” said Ipunk.
The Fleet Operations Control Director, Teuku Elvitrasyah, added that the 492 GT-sized MV Silver Island is a type of live fish carrier vessel. “The capture began from the public report on the indication that MV Silver Island was illegally carrying a protected fish type from Sumenep, East Java, to Hong Kong,” said Teuku.
He further stated that the initial information was then followed up with vessel movement analysis. As a result, MV Silver Island was observed sailing through the Makassar Strait and the Sulawesi Sea towards Hong Kong, until it was intercepted by the KP Orca 04.
The Napoleon fish is included in the CITES Appendix II. Its utilization is regulated through the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Regulation Number 61/PERMEN-KP/2018 concerning the Utilization of Protected Fish Species and/or Fish Species Listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
According to the regulation, any business entity utilizing Napoleon fish is required to have a Foreign Trade Species Utilization Permit (SIPJI-LN) and a Foreign Fish Species Transport Permit (SAJI-LN). “Currently, the vessel along with its crew has been secured at the PSDKP Bitung Base for further legal proceedings by investigators,” said Teuku.
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