Marine Minister Pledges to Scrap Restrictive Regulations

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Marine and Fishery Minister  Susi Pudjiastuti said the government needs to scrap restrictive  regulations to improve the competitiveness  especially in the marine and fishery sector.

Apart from being the regulator the government has the function to create  a system that would contribute to sustainable economic growth, Susi said.

She said her ministry  does not function only to arrange subsidy  and other assistance for fishermen.  

She said the marine and fishery ministry would create stronger coordination with  other related ministries such as the trade ministry  and industry ministry .

The People's Coalition for Fishery Justice has urged the marine and fishery minister to revise a number of regulations considering restrictive  in the marine and fishery sector.

"Revise the policy that allows foreigners to take control of coastal areas and small islands," Coalition secretary general Abdul Halim said here on Sunday.

Abdul Halim asked for the revision of the ministerial regulation No, 26 of 2013 in sea fishing which is considered to be more in favor of the local fishermen.

Meanwhile, the advisory board of the Indonesian Association of Traditional Fisherman (KNTI) remined the marine and fishery ministry of its big priority agenda .

Chairman of the advisory board M Riza Damanik said among the agenda is to improve the welfare of fishermen that need capital and market guarantee.

Riza also asked the marine and fishery ministry to improve food logistic system that would need revitalization of old seaport  and ships   and establish  data information system.

The information system  that provide data of climate,  potential fishing grounds and fish prices is vital, he said.

Therefore, revisions of restrictive regulations is needed to   protect local fishermen, he said. (WDY)