Police warn locals about aiding illegal fishermen

POLICE have warned people living along the South Fly coast in Western not to harbour illegal fishermen and traders in their communities.
“If police catch any person aiding and harbouring illegal fishermen from Indonesia, they will be dealt with accordingly,” Western’s acting South Fly police commander Supt Brian Kombe said.
Supt Kombe, issued the warning after locals in Kadawa village in South Fly attacked Customs officials doing routine work to check on reports of illegal fishing activities along the coastal waters last week.
“I want to give a stern warning to citizens of the South Fly coast to the Indonesian and Australian border to refrain from aiding or harbouring illegal fishermen from Indonesia who are coming into our waters fishing up our marine life,” he said.
Supt Kombe said dugongs were slaughtered, sharks caught and fins removed and carcass thrown out and even wildlife was poached.
“Actually they got contacts here where they usually come and take refuge from them and pay the locals for harbouring them,” he said.
“So I am appealing to the people who are doing that to stop.
“The law will catch up with them and we are going to deal with them.”
Supt Kombe said the warning was issued after police in Daru raided Kawada, on coastal village on the mainland, after locals attacked Customs officers and a shipping agent last Wednesday.
He said the villagers also smashed the dinghy used by the officers and floated the fuel container out into the open sea.
Supt Kombe said police in Daru were called in on Thursday to rescue the two officers.