Jakarta, July 11 -- Indonesia is strengthening the protection of marine resources in the North Natuna Sea by building 10 new patrol vessels and expanding the pier at the Batam Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance (PSDKP) Base.

Deputy Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Didit Herdiawan said the fleet expansion is part of the government's efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, particularly in State Fisheries Management Area (WPPNRI) 711, which covers the North Natuna Sea.

"This fleet expansion must be supported by adequate dock infrastructure capable of accommodating the large patrol vessels currently under construction," Herdiawan said in a statement on Friday.

He noted that the addition of the...