RI to Seize Entry Permits to Fishing Trawlers Until Year-End

Pewarta : Reporting by Muhammad Razi Rahman

RI to Seize Entry Permits to Fishing Trawlers Until Year-End

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Minister of Marine and Fishery Affairs Susi Pudjiastuti revealed her plans to stop issuing new entry permits to fishing trawlers until the end of 2014.

The minister made the announcement during a meeting with entrepreneurs from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) here on Thursday.

Susi apologized if the decision would affect the fishery business in Indonesia, but she justified her decision to put a halt on the issuance of new entry permits to fishing trawlers.  

According to the minister, several foreign flagged ships or Indonesian ships sponsored by foreign parties had conducted illegal fishing in Indonesian waters, especially those near Maluku, Sumatra, and the Indian Ocean.

 "Do you not want to be independent? Why should someone else (foreigners) enjoy our rich natural resources?" Susi questioned.

According to data obtained from an NGO "The People's Coalition for Fisheries Justice," illegal fishing was on the rise. During the 2001-2003 period, 6,215 cases related to illegal fishing were recorded in the Indonesian territory.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Unitary Indonesian Traditional Fishermen M. Rizal Damanik claimed that 30 percent losses caused by illegal fishing in the world were incurred by Indonesia.

"So, according to the report of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, illegal fishing has caused losses to the tune of US$23 billion. About 30 percent of illegal fishing in the world occurred in Indonesia," Rizal pointed out.

According to him, the state incurs annual losses worth Rp100 trillion due to illegal fishing.

"The exploitation of Indonesian marine resources was causing tremendous losses to the state," he remarked.

         He affirmed that these losses have tarnished the image of Indonesia's fisheries and maritime sector, as they indicate the nation's tolerance to illegal fishing practices that have flourished so far.

         "We show to the world that our government does not encourage the utilization of fisheries resources due to illegal fishing practices that disturb the sustainable management of marine resources," Rizal emphasized.

         He observed that the illegal fishing trend will have negative implications on Indonesia, as fishery is the key food resource of the country.

         Moreover, he stated that the new government will have to face three challenges in the maritime sector. The first challenge is coordinating the state budget for the maritime sector by encouraging the welfare of fishermen and marine economic sovereignty.

         "The second is the management of natural resources that cause losses in the marine and fisheries sector. The role and functions of the maritime sector is only calculated on the basis of economic contribution and land area as an indicator of mobilization of the state resources," he added.

The third challenge is to get fishery organizations, farmers, and coastal communities to participate in the drafting of a public policy. (WDY)

Translating and editing by Amie Fenia Arimbi
Editor: I Gusti Bagus Widyantara
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Bali