Autonomy regulations needed

Autonomy regulations needed

JAKARTA: The absence of supporting regulations for the regional autonomy law has created some obstacles in its implementation, mainly in regional maritime and fisheries development, said a scientist on Tuesday.

Arif Satria, a researcher at the Center of Agricultural Studies at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture, said an increase in violence among fishermen and overexploitation of marine resources occurred mainly because local people and administrations did not fully understand the government-initiated autonomy program.

"Fishermen have indirectly claimed provincial waters as theirs. However, autonomy does not mean that fishermen from other provinces are not allowed to fish in a particular province's waters," he cited, while addressing a launch ceremony for a book titled Towards Maritime Decentralization.

Another speaker, Umar Juoro, an economist at the Center for Information and Development Studies (CIDES), told The Jakarta Post that government should cooperate with the public and the business community to create sustainable maritime and fisheries development.

He said the government could provide clear sanctions through the regulations, while people could contribute to the preservation of natural resources and the business community could invest in eco-friendly marine businesses. --JP