DILI, 18 April 2026 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste authorities have seized an Indonesian-flagged fishing vessel operating illegally within Timor-Leste’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The seizure of the vessel, carrying 32 crew members and 9 tons of illegal catch, marked the first successful apprehension of its kind in years, highlighting efforts by authorities to crack down on illegal fishing in the country’s waters.
The vessel, identified as KM Makmur Rejeki Mulya, was intercepted on Friday by the Maritime Police Unit of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) in waters off Uatucarbau administrative post, Viqueque municipality.
Maritime Police Unit Commander Superintendent Eugénio Pereira said the operation took place at around 6pm local time and involved a tense pursuit after the crew attempted to flee.
Officers ordered the patrol boat to close in before instructing those on board to surrender.
Following the seizure, all 32 crew members were detained and later transferred to police custody in Lautem municipality. They have since been presented to the public prosecutor in the Baucau municipality for further investigation.
Authorities said the vessel, along with the catch and other evidence, would also be handed over to prosecutors as part of the case.
Superintendent Eugénio Pereira said operations to combat illegal fishing would be intensified, despite limited resources.
He said that MPU faces challenges, particularly the lack of patrol vessels capable of operating in deeper waters, but stressed that enforcement efforts in Timor-Leste’s maritime zone would continue.
Interior Minister Francisco da Costa acknowledged the country’s lack of resources, especially patrol vessels needed to carry out monitoring in deeper waters.
He said that despite the challenges, the MPU will work with relevant authorities to step up patrol operations to protect the country’s marine resources.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Timor-Leste lost more than US$48.5 million between 2024 and 2026 due to illegal fishing, with an estimated 2,200 tonnes of fish reportedly taken from the country’s waters by illegal fishers.
A lack of resources to patrol the country’s waters, combined with limited monitoring of vessel activity, is enabling illegal fishing to exploit marine resources, costing the nation millions of dollars.
Journalist: Arminda Fonseca
Editor: Filomeno Martins
