SEMARAPURA ~ A 31-year-old fisherman from Nusa Penida, off the southern coast of east Bali, is believed to have been lost at sea in high winds and strong currents in the treacherous Badung Strait. He has been missing since Monday.

Wayan Sunarya, of Banjar Karangsari, Suana, Nusa Penida, went to sea at 4am on Monday in his small fishing boat named Kiong Mas, with an 18hp outboard motor, when many local fishermen chose to stay home to avoid expected bad weather.

When Sunarya did not return as scheduled, his family contacted Nusa Penida Police. A search is being coordinated by Klungkung Police in Semarapura, the regency capital, and other agencies.

Local people on Nusa Penida, which is part of Klungkung regency, told police Sunarya was at sea when the weather worsened as many expected. They said he told friends he planned to head for fishing waters off Nusa Dua.

“We are following up on reports from other fishermen and we are sharing information and coordinating with Bali Police, including at Benoa,” said Moch Yudi Hartanto of Klungkung Police.