RI has vast potential in marine resources<\/p>\n
I Ketut Sutika, Antara\/Denpasar<\/p>\n
Indonesia's marine resources could, if developed wisely, increase
\nstate revenue and improve the welfare of the people, according to
\nexperts.<\/p>\n
Like an unpolished pearl, the country's marine reserves have
\nnot been properly exploited in the country's Exclusive Economic
\nZone (EEZ) or along its coastal areas.<\/p>\n
The country's seas, totaling 3.1 million square kilometers
\nfrom Sabang in Aceh to Merauke in Papua, the 2.7 million square
\nkilometer EEZ and a coastline reaching 81,000 kilometers, contain
\nhigh economic value in terms of marine resources.<\/p>\n
Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Fredy Numbery said
\nin Bali recently that developed countries with a record of
\nsuccessfully managing their own marine resources had expressed
\ninterest in working with Indonesia in the fisheries sector.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Aquaculture Society
\nconference, which was attended by 2,000 people from 85 countries
\nand closed on Friday, Numbery said the U.S. state of Hawaii was
\ninterested in working with Indonesia in fisheries management.<\/p>\n
He said the combined technologies of Hawaii and Indonesia
\nwould yield better results from the country's fisheries.<\/p>\n
A number of foreign investors have also shown interest in
\ninvesting in fishing vessels and marine resources processing, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
They would also assist in overcoming the various obstacles and
\nproblems in developing the marine sector here.<\/p>\n
According to former maritime affairs and fisheries minister
\nSarwono Kusumaatmadja, Indonesia could learn a lot about managing
\nits marine resources from Vietnam, which has successfully
\ndeveloped its marine wealth by involving foreign investors,
\nincluding those from Indonesia.<\/p>\n
He said investors were keen to invest in Vietnam due to
\ntransparent regulations and smooth permit issuance procedures,
\nunlike in Indonesia where investors were often met with, for
\nexample, land disputes and chaotic permit procedures. This poor
\nimage should be improved so that foreign investors will come and
\ninvest in Indonesia in the future.<\/p>\n
President Susilo has urged agencies overseeing the marine and
\nfisheries sectors to make improvements internally to attract
\nforeign investors.<\/p>\n
The director general of fisheries at the Ministry of Maritime
\nAffairs and Fisheries, M. Fatuchri Sukadi, said that even though
\nIndonesia was rich in marine resources, it still had to protect
\nits seas from being overfished.<\/p>\n
He said Indonesia should also intensify its fish breeding to
\npreserve the country's marine resources for the future.<\/p>\n
Those involved in the fishing industry in Indonesia have been
\nfacing various problems, among them the high price of fuel to
\noperate fishing vessels and the limited number of fishing
\nequipment.<\/p>\n
Another issue is environmental damage and pollution, which
\naffects the marine habitat.<\/p>\n
For that reason, fish breeding should be developed,
\nconsidering the huge potential along the country's 81,000
\nkilometers of coastline, Fatuchri said.<\/p>\n
Fatuchri said Indonesia could become a global force in fish
\nbreeding and at the same time create job opportunities locally.<\/p>\n
An exhibition of the technological aspects of the marine
\nsector was also organized during the World Aquaculture Society
\nconference.<\/p>\n
The exhibition was participated in by hundreds of companies
\nfrom 85 countries.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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