A new report issued by the Indonesian Maritime Resources and Fisheries Directorate General (P2SDKP) showed that 180 foreign fishing vessels were detained in 2009.

Code named Operasi Samudra Lestari 2009, the operations called on four vessels from the Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries Affairs (DKP), five warships from the Indonesian Navy, four vessels from the coastal police and a maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

Operations and surveillance was carried out mainly in Natuna and the South China Sea.

Most of the fishing vessels taken into custody were from Thailand, Vietnam, China and Malaysia.

P2SDKP Director General Aji Sularso said that the operations saved the Indonesian State an estimated US$75 million.