Aceh attracts German firm

JAKARTA (JP): A private German company plans to invest in a fishery market center and dockyard in Sabang, Aceh, an official said Saturday.

The head of Aceh's fishery office, Kasbani Kasim, told Antara in Banda Aceh that Vilkswerft GmbH's investment would help local fishermen catch more fish with better equipment.

Last year, local fishermen netted only 100,000 tons of fish, far lower than the potential of more than 500,000 tons per annum, because they used traditional equipment, he said.

Aceh is considered an important fishery area because three quarters of its land is surrounded by sea. Its coast is 1,800 km long and sea area is 55,563 square kilometers.

Tuna and shark are the main species caught, he said. (13)