Indonesia Seizes 1,048 Tonnes of Imported Shrimp in East Java

JAKARTA, STUPA NEWS — Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries has seized about 1,048 tonnes of imported shrimp in several areas of East Java over suspected misuse of import allocations and possible distribution into the domestic market.

The ministry said the seizure could prevent potential state losses of around 405.8 billion rupiah ($24.2 million).

The shrimp, imported from Canada, Argentina and Ecuador, entered East Java through bonded zones and was designated to be processed and subsequently re-exported, according to the ministry's fisheries surveillance directorate.

Authorities sealed facilities linked to PT Mega Marine Pride, where about 885 tonnes of imported shrimp were found, and PT Baramuda Bahari, which held about 15 tonnes, the ministry said.

The seized products included about 19.16 tonnes of pink shrimp from Canada, 885.3 tonnes of red shrimp from Argentina and 144 tonnes of vannamei shrimp from Ecuador.

"We will not allow imported shrimp intended for export to enter the domestic market," Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said in a statement.

The ministry said further investigations would determine whether the case involved administrative violations or elements of a criminal offence.

Indonesia's fisheries surveillance agency is also coordinating with the Finance Ministry's tax directorate to examine possible tax compliance issues.

Authorities said enforcement against imported fisheries products would be strengthened to ensure imports designated for export do not enter the domestic market.(Jamira)