The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry is ready to work with its Indonesian counterpart to address fishery issues and encroachment of waters by fishermen.

Its minister, Salahuddin Ayub (photo, above) said he welcomed the first meeting with Indonesia Marine and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti in Kuala Lumpur today.

Several matters, including illegal fishing in the waters of both countries, were discussed and it was agreed that both sides needed to find solutions to the problem.

"Firstly, we agreed to have a joint communique to strengthen cooperation in the field of fisheries," he said after the meeting with Susi.

Salahuddin also said that the two sides would discuss further matters relating to fisheries, and the result of the discussions would be brought to the cabinet for a decision.

"We talked about this issue long and hard and we must ensure that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) does not occur in Malaysian waters, as well as no Malaysian vessels encroach on the waters of any country," he said.

Susi also agreed that today's meeting with Salahuddin would have a positive impact on fostering ties between the two countries while finding good solutions to the fishery issues discussed by both parties.

"My visit is to seek cooperation from the Ministry of Agriculture Malaysia to jointly combat illegal fishing while maintaining fishery resources and protecting the ocean resources," he told reporters.

- Bernama