Indonesian Fisheries Minister Meets Russian Deputy Prime Minister

London (Antara Bali) - Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich as part of her three-day visit to Russia from August 21 to 23.

In the 90-minute meeting which took place at the office of the Government of Russian Federation, they discussed a wide range of  issues related to bilateral relations in the fisheries and maritime sector, the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow said in a press statement released on Sunday.

Among the issues discussed at the meeting were cooperation between the two countries in fighting illegal fishing, Indonesia's aquatic exports to Russia, investment opportunities in the Indonesian fisheries and maritime sector, and efforts to get support from the International Forum on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing to fight against illegal fishing as a serious crime.

Minister Susi told the Russian deputy prime minister that the Indonesian government had declared the maritime sector as one of its main priorities and that numerous policies and steps had been taken to fight against foreign fishing ships encroaching in the Indonesian waters.

Although many countries were unhappy with the policy, there had been no significant protest from foreign missions in Indonesia against the policy which has clear legal basis including article 69 paragraph (4) of Law No. 45/2009 on Fisheries, she said.

The crackdown on illegal fishing had helped the country save 36 percent of fuel consumption and avoid a state loss of US$20-30 billion per year, she said.

She said Indonesia and Russia shared common views on illegal fishing as a serious crime that must be dealt with through regional and international forums such as APEC.

The fund saved from illegal fishing could be used to develop marine infrastructure, she said.

Indonesia was making preparations for the development of 15 integrated fishing centers in several parts of the country to increase fish production and create fishery products with good quality and competitive prices, she said. (WDY)