Penegakan Hukum dan Hambatan Kepolisian Perairan terhadap Praktik Illegal Fishing di Zona Ekonomi Eksklusif Indonesia (Studi Kasus Laut Natuna Utara) - Melsa Junita; Adinda Ramadani; Nabila Putri Hendrayeni (PT. AHLAL PUBLISHER NUSANTARA, 2026)
The prevalence of illegal fishing in Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), particularly in the North Natuna Sea, threatens national sovereignty and the sustainability of marine resources. Although the government has implemented various policies, such as ship sinking, increased sea patrols, the use of monitoring technology, and maritime diplomacy, in practice, law enforcement still faces various obstacles, particularly in institutional aspects, infrastructure, human resources, and inter-agency coordination. This study aims to analyze the Indonesian government's policy on enforcing the law against illegal fishing in Indonesian waters, particularly in the North Natuna Sea, and to identify the obstacles faced by the Maritime Police in carrying out law enforcement duties against illegal foreign fishing vessels in the region. The research method used is an empirical juridical method with a qualitative descriptive approach. Data were obtained through a literature review of laws and regulations, official documents such as the 2020–2024 Strategic Plan of the Indonesian National Police's Water Police Corps (Korpolairud Baharkam) and related literature related to international maritime law and fisheries policy. The analysis was conducted by examining the conformity between applicable legal norms and the reality of their implementation in the field. The research findings indicate that the Indonesian government has undertaken various strategic efforts to combat illegal fishing, including strengthening inter-agency maritime patrols, implementing monitoring technologies such as the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), enforcing the Fisheries Law, and employing a maritime diplomacy approach to address violations by foreign vessels. However, the effectiveness of law enforcement remains hampered by several factors, including a lack of regulations regarding the operation of the Maritime Police, limited fleets and operational facilities, low quality and quantity of human resources, weak inter-agency coordination, budget constraints, minimal public participation, and limitations in communication technology and supporting infrastructure. Keywords: Illegal Fishing, Law Enforcement, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), North Natuna Sea, Maritime Police. Abstrak Maraknya praktik illegal fishing di Zona Ekonomi Eksklusif (ZEE) Indonesia, khususnya di Laut Natuna Utara, yang mengancam kedaulatan negara serta keberlanjutan sumber daya kelautan. Meskipun pemerintah telah menerapkan berbagai kebijakan, seperti penenggelaman kapal, peningkatan patroli laut, pemanfaatan teknologi pemantauan, serta diplomasi maritim, dalam praktiknya penegakan hukum masih menghadapi berbagai hambatan, terutama pada aspek kelembagaan, sarana prasarana, sumber daya manusia, dan koordinasi antarinstansi.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kebijakan pemerintah Indonesia dalam menegakkan hukum terhadap praktik illegal fishing di wilayah perairan Indonesia, khususnya di Laut Natuna Utara, serta mengidentifikasi hambatan yang dihadapi oleh Kepolisian Perairan dalam menjalankan tugas penegakan hukum terhadap kapal ikan asing ilegal di wilayah tersebut. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode yuridis empiris dengan pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif. Data diperoleh melalui studi kepustakaan terhadap peraturan perundang-undangan, dokumen resmi seperti Rencana Strategis Korpolairud Baharkam Polri Tahun 2020–2024, serta literatur terkait hukum laut internasional dan kebijakan perikanan. Analisis dilakukan dengan mengkaji kesesuaian antara norma hukum yang berlaku dengan realitas implementasinya di lapangan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pemerintah Indonesia telah melakukan berbagai upaya strategis dalam menanggulangi illegal fishing, antara lain melalui penguatan patroli laut lintas instansi, penerapan teknologi pemantauan seperti Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), penegakan hukum berbasis Undang-Undang Perikanan, serta pendekatan diplomasi maritim dalam menghadapi pelanggaran oleh kapal asing. Namun, efektivitas penegakan hukum masih terhambat oleh sejumlah faktor, antara lain kekosongan regulasi terkait operasional Kepolisian Perairan, keterbatasan armada dan fasilitas operasional, rendahnya kualitas dan kuantitas sumber daya manusia, lemahnya koordinasi antar lembaga, keterbatasan anggaran, minimnya partisipasi masyarakat, serta keterbatasan teknologi komunikasi dan infrastruktur pendukung. Kata kunci: Illegal Fishing, Penegakan Hukum, Zona Ekonomi Eksklusif (ZEE), Laut Natuna Utara, Kepolisian Perairan.