Fishermen halt Unocal's seismic works
Thursday, December 30 2004 - 03:45 AM WIB
A ship operated by Unocal to carry out a seismic survey in its concession area off Balikpapan, East Kalimantan was prevented by local fishermen from conducting its activities on Wednesday due to the refusal of the company to pay compensation, local newspaper Kaltim Post reported on Thursday.
The fishermen, who used at least 30 boats to block the ship, demanded Unocal to pay compensation for the removal of 80 floating fishing traps in the company's offshore concession area near Balikpapan before conducting the seismic survey.
Fishermen have demanded a compensation of Rp 8 million for each of the fishing traps removed to make way for the seismic survey, but Unocal refused to pay the compesation because the owners of the fish traps could not show their fishing permits.
"We will pay the compensation, but the fish trap owners should first show their fishing permits before they get the money," a Unocal spokesman said. (*)