Indonesia seizes vessel carrying 1.2 tonnes of protected Napoleon fish

Indonesian authorities have seized a foreign-flagged vessel carrying approximately 1.2 tonnes of live Napoleon fish allegedly bound for Hong Kong, after intercepting the ship in the Sulawesi Sea during an operation targeting suspected wildlife smuggling.

The vessel, MV Silver Island, flying the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe in Central Africa, was intercepted by the Indonesian fisheries patrol vessel KP Orca 04 on 29 May while sailing towards Hong Kong, according to Indonesia's Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP).

Officials said the vessel was found transporting protected Napoleon fish without the permits required by Indonesian regulations.

Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Surveillance (PSDKP), Pung Nugroho Saksono, known as Ipunk, said the vessel had been under surveillance for some time before authorities moved to intercept it.

“This capture is our action from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries,” Ipunk told reporters at the PSDKP Base in Bitung on Wednesday.

According to officials, the operation began after authorities received information from the public indicating that MV Silver Island was illegally transporting protected fish from Sumenep, East Java, to Hong Kong.

Director of Fleet Operations Control Teuku Elvitrasyah said investigators subsequently analysed the vessel's movements and tracked it sailing through the Makassar Strait and the Sulawesi Sea, until it was intercepted by KP Orca 04.

The vessel, a 492-gross-tonne live fish carrier, departed from Sumenep on May 26, according to authorities.

Fish allegedly hidden in secret compartment

Ipunk said investigators found around 1.2 tonnes of live Napoleon fish concealed inside a specially modified compartment designed to avoid detection during inspections.

“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,” he said.

Authorities estimated the shipment contained more than 900 live fish.

According to the ministry, cargo documentation listed only grouper fish, while inspections uncovered large quantities of Napoleon fish that lacked official permits and export quotas.

The ministry also said the vessel had switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS), which authorities believe was intended to prevent tracking. Despite this, officials were able to monitor the ship's movements and intercept it in waters between Nunukan and Tolitoli.

Authorities said the vessel is owned by a Hong Kong-based company. The ship's owner and captain are both foreign nationals.

Potential state losses estimated at Rp16 billion

The ministry estimated that the operation prevented potential state losses of around Rp16 billion (about US$1 million).

Officials said the figure was calculated based on the value of the Napoleon fish cargo as well as potential tax and non-tax revenues that would otherwise have been payable to the state.

Authorities said suspects could face charges under Article 88 in conjunction with Article 16 of Indonesia's Fisheries Law No. 31 of 2004, carrying a maximum sentence of six years' imprisonment and a fine of up to Rp1.5 billion.

Protected species regulated under CITES

Napoleon fish, also known as humphead wrasse, are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Their use and international trade are regulated in Indonesia under Ministerial Regulation No. 61/PERMEN-KP/2018 concerning the utilisation of protected fish species and species listed under CITES appendices.

Under the regulation, businesses seeking to trade Napoleon fish internationally must obtain a Foreign Trade Species Utilisation Permit (SIPJI-LN) and a Foreign Fish Species Transport Permit (SAJI-LN).

Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said the government remained committed to enforcing full and partial protection measures for certain fish species.

According to the ministry, the policy is intended to prevent the extinction of Indonesia's native fish species while preserving the country's marine ecosystems.

Teuku said the vessel and its crew had been secured at the PSDKP Base in Bitung, where investigators are continuing legal proceedings.