BULELENG ~ Fishermen from Sumberkima village, Buleleng, say they are finding it difficult to earn a living because of a trawler from Java operating in their traditional fishing grounds.

On Sunday a group of Sumberkima fishermen said the trawler had been fishing in the area a few months ago, but stopped, only resuming a few days ago when cloud fish became plentiful.

The fisherman said they could not compete with the trawler, which uses a mercury lamp to catch fish, whilst the traditional fisherman only have dragnets and kerosene lamps.

The fisherman said that they reported the problem to harbor police, and the Buleleng Board of Maritime and Fisheries, but had had no response.

“If there is no action from the authorities to get rid of the trawler, we will be starving within a few days,” one of the fishermen said.

Sumberkima village head Putu Wibawa said the villagers had been complaining about the trawler for some time, and he hoped the authorities would take action immediately.