Abdurachman stressed that eradicating lobster seed smuggling must not\nstop at arresting couriers or securing evidence but must reach those who\nfinance and control the illegal activity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe task force must apply a \u2018follow the network\u2019 and \u2018follow the\nmoney\u2019 approach to uncover networks, money flows, financiers, and\ncontrollers,\u201d Abdurachman said at the launch of the task force at the\nMaritime and Fisheries Ministry office here on Monday.<\/p>\n
According to him, lobster seed smuggling involves networks with long\ndistribution chains, from catch sources, collectors, and holding sites\nto transport by land, sea, and air.<\/p>\n
He therefore asked the task force to map the entire chain as a basis\nfor setting operation targets, especially in seed source areas, transit\nareas, and exit points prone to smuggling.<\/p>\n
\u201cI ask all ministries and agencies to integrate data and information\nto strengthen early detection, risk analysis, and well-targeted\nenforcement,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
Previously, the Indonesian Navy\u2019s (TNI AL\u2019s) Cirebon Naval Base\nuncovered an alleged illegal shipment of around 75,435 lobster seeds via\nthe Cikopo-Palimanan Toll Road in Indramayu District, West Java, on\nOctober 1, 2026.<\/p>\n
Officers found 13 boxes containing lobster seeds without the required\ntransport documents and secured two people for further questioning.<\/p>\n
On September 18, 2026, the Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin),\ntogether with a joint team of officers, also foiled the shipment of\n48,800 lobster seeds bound for Singapore via Juanda International\nAirport in East Java.<\/p>\n
The tens of thousands of seeds were found in 18 plastic bags inside a\nprospective passenger\u2019s suitcase.<\/p>\n
Abdurachman noted that Indonesia\u2019s lobster seed potential is\nestimated at 465.8 million per year, while the Maritime and Fisheries\nMinistry recorded a potential of around 500 million per year.<\/p>\n
Smuggling of the commodity is seen as risking the loss of national\neconomic potential, hindering domestic lobster aquaculture development,\nand reducing the benefits of fisheries resources for the public.<\/p>\n
Maritime and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, on the same\noccasion, illustrated that the potential of around 500 million lobster\nseeds, assuming a value of US$2 per seed or around Rp35,800, equals US$1\nbillion or around Rp17.9 trillion.<\/p>\n
Trenggono assessed that this large potential has not been optimally\nutilized domestically, while demand from neighboring countries and price\ndifferences pose challenges in developing the national lobster\naquaculture industry.<\/p>\n
Related news: Indonesia activates task force to combat lobster seed\nsmuggling<\/p>\n
Related news: Indonesia\u2019s lobster farming trial opens path to\nSingapore exports<\/p>\n
Related news: VP Gibran urges fast-track regulation to curb lobster\nseed smuggling<\/p>\n
Translator: Aria, Kenzu<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/lobster-seed-task-force-told-to-trace-smuggling-financiers-1791802213", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }