Indonesia and Thailand agreed on Thursday to set up a joint task force on illegal fishing, a lucrative cross-border trade that labor groups claim is responsible for enslaving thousands of workers from across Southeast Asia. Thai companies have been linked to shadowy fishing operations in Indonesia, a bountiful hunting ground for a blackmarket industry that costs Jakarta an estimated $20 billion in losses every year. The administration of Indonesian President Joko Widodo has embarked on a hardline campaign against illegal fishing since taking office in October, seizing and scuttling unlicensed vessels.

Indonesia, Thailand agree to work together on illegal fishing. (2015, April 24). Manila Bulletin, p. 13.