The government has established the Task Force for Combating the\nIllegal Export of Clear Lobster Seed (Satgas P2BBL) to dismantle\nnetworks smuggling lobster seed overseas. Enforcement will target not\nonly offenders on the ground but also financiers and those controlling\nthe illegal networks.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Dudung\nAbdurachman stressed that efforts to combat the smuggling of clear\nlobster seed (BBL) must be comprehensive, covering its sources,\ncollectors, holding facilities, distribution routes and points of exit\nfrom Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\u201cAction must not stop at couriers or transporters. The task force\nmust follow the network and follow the money to uncover the networks,\nfinancial flows, financiers and controllers,\u201d Dudung said at the launch\nof the task force at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry\nauditorium in Jakarta on Monday (12 October 2026).<\/p>\n
The task force was established under Presidential Regulation No.\u00a069\nof 2026. Dudung will serve as its steering committee chairman, while\nMaritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono will head\nits implementation.<\/p>\n
Dudung said the task force was set up to coordinate the efforts of\nministries and agencies to prevent and combat the smuggling of BBL by\norganised networks operating in Indonesia and abroad.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is estimated to have the potential to produce 465.8 million\nlobster seed a year. However, that potential has not been used optimally\nto develop lobster farming at home and generate greater value for the\nnational economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cBBL smuggling is not merely a matter of illegally exporting a\ncommodity. It means losing national economic potential, disrupting the\ndevelopment of domestic farming and reducing the benefits from fisheries\nresources that should be enjoyed by the Indonesian people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He stressed that the task force\u2019s success should not be measured\nsolely by the number of lobster seed seized. The government must also\nbreak up smuggling networks and identify those profiting from the\nactivity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe task force\u2019s success is not simply about how many lobster seed\nwe manage to save, but how far we can dismantle smuggling networks and\nprotect Indonesia\u2019s fisheries wealth,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Trenggono said BBL smuggling was a longstanding problem that remained\nunresolved, despite the government\u2019s efforts to build cooperation with\nneighbouring countries.<\/p>\n
According to Trenggono, strong demand for lobster seed in Vietnam was\none factor driving continued smuggling. He said the price paid to\nIndonesian fishers was around Rp8,500 per seed, while in Vietnam it\ncould reach Rp35,000 to Rp50,000.<\/p>\n
The government therefore hopes the task force will strengthen law\nenforcement and encourage bilateral cooperation to stop the illegal\ntrade.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we lose our sovereignty, that means we have failed to protect it.\nThis is one example,\u201d Trenggono said at the same event.<\/p>\n
In addition to enforcement, Dudung called on the task force to\nstrengthen prevention and improve the governance of BBL, ensuring\nfishers and coastal communities can continue to pursue lawful economic\nactivities.<\/p>\n
He also emphasised the importance of public outreach, so that efforts\nto combat smuggling go hand in hand with the development of lobster\nfarming in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Dudung said the task force\u2019s work would be reviewed monthly to\nmonitor progress, identify obstacles and ensure effective coordination\nbetween ministries and agencies.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-forms-task-force-to-target-major-lobster-seed-smugglers-1791784305", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }