MSC Certificate important to increase tuna exports: Minister Susi

Mangupura (Antaranews Bali) - Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certificate is important for Indonesia to increase its exports of tuna fish to other countries.

"Indonesia is known as one of the largest producers of tuna fish in the world but its earning from tuna exports is relatively small," Susi said after closing the ceremony of the "3rd Bali Tuna Conference" in Kuta, Badung District, Bali Province, on Friday night.

Indonesia accounts for 16 percent or around 1.2 million tons of the world`s tuna fish production of 7.7 million tons a year.

Director General of Deep Sea Fishing of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry Zulficar Mochtar said in 2017, Indonesia could export only around 198,131 tons of tuna fish worth US$569 million or around Rp7.9 trillion.

The MSC certificate will give detailed information for export destination countries about the origin of the fish and fishing process, Susi said, adding that, with the certificate, exports would have no restriction.

The minister further described the MSC certification as a break through, saying that it would increase the country`s earning from tuna exports because the commodity would be sold at a premium price.

Without the MSC certificate, the tuna will only belong to the third class price, she added.

The minister, therefore, asks exporters to seek the MSC certificates as they would contribute to increase the price and improve the welfare of the country`s fishermen.

She hoped that in two years, all Indonesian tuna exporters would have the MSC certificates.(WDY)