Indonesia's New Fishing Law Required Port Inspections; KM Maulana 23 Sailed Without One

Four Indonesian fishers were tortured aboard the squid vessel KM Maulana 23 in the Aru Sea, in Maluku province, after failing to haul at least two kilograms of squid per night, according to investigators and a Greenpeace Indonesia statement published October 13, 2026. The crew member was reportedly crammed into a barrel of water while others beat him, stomped him, punched him, and sprayed water in his face. Greenpeace says authorities have not yet named the company that owned the vessel, identified squid buyers, or charged anyone above deck-level with human trafficking, despite Indonesia ratifying ILO Convention 188 via Presidential Regulation No. 25 of 2026 on May 1. KM Maulana 23 departed Jakarta’s Nizam Zachman Ocean Fishing Port in late July 2026 without the required inspected departure. The 28 crew were promised Rp 5,000,000 and up to Rp 10,000,000 profit share, receiving only Rp 500,000 over four months. The four victims were treated at Cendrawasih Hospital in Dobo.