Challenges ahead in becoming a maritime nation

Challenges ahead in becoming a maritime nation

Making the most of resources and ensuring their equal
distribution and sustainability are among the challenges faced by
the Ministry of Maritime Exploration, led by Sarwono
Kusumaatmadja.

Among the experts at the ministry is Rokhmin Dahuri, a
professor at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture and now the
Director General of Coastal Areas, Shores and Island Affairs.

The official recently shared his views with The Jakarta Post's
contributor Joko Sarwono on the implications of
a country striving to redress decades of neglect of its waters.
An excerpt of the recent interview conducted in Bogor follows:

Question: Could you describe the challenges we face if we
really want to become a maritime state?

Answer: The first would be globalization, of which the
foremost feature is free trade. The implication is that we must
be able to produce maritime-related products and services, such
as fisheries, sea and coastal tourism, mining and sea
transportation.

These commodities and services must be highly competitive both
within the local and international markets.

The second is that in relation to plans for decentralization
or regional autonomy, and the redressing of fiscal balance, as
reflected in the new laws (on these matters), the management of
ocean resources would do much better through better cooperation
between the central and regional government, the public and the
private sector.

Such cooperation would have to be evident from the
planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all
related programs.

The third challenge is the highly unequal development of ocean
resources among the regions.

There are coastal areas with critical environmental conditions
such as the north coast of Java, part of the Malacca Straits, the
south coast of Sulawesi and part of the East Kalimantan coast
between the Mahakam Delta and Bontang.

These areas have experienced pollution, damage to the coastal
habitat affecting mangroves, coral reefs and estuaries, apart
from overfishing.

Meanwhile, there are many coastal and sea areas which have
been either underdeveloped or are barely untouched.

These include the coastal areas of the west of Sumatra, the
waters south of Java to East Nusa Tenggara, the Natuna islands
and the South China Sea, and our exclusive economic zone
(recognized in the 1982 International Convention on the Law of
the Sea).

The fourth challenge is the massive, decades-long theft of our
fish by foreign ships. The estimated loss to the state in this
regard is US$ 4 billion a year.

Q: What are the constraints to reviving a maritime orientation?

A: First is the low awareness of Indonesians, particularly among
decision makers in the government and in the private sector, of
the importance and strategic value of ocean resources to national
development and the nation's progress.

Serious attention to this matter has only been evident under
this new government of (President Abdurrahman Wahid) Gus Dur.

Even so, many decision makers are still doubtful of our
maritime potential.

Secondly, there is the matter of our human resources and
knowledge in applying the relevant science and technology. Even
compared to Southeast Asian countries, not to mention Japan,
South Korea, Norway and Britain, which can be said to be maritime
countries.

For instance, 80 percent of our fisherfolk comprise of those
with only an elementary level of education, and those who did not
even graduate from primary school or who are even illiterate.

More than 80 percent of our fishing vessels are traditional.

Therefore, a large part of fishing by our fisherfolk is full
of uncertainty, unlike the more calculated harvests among the
fishing communities of Japan, South Korea, Canada and Spain.

Our country's mastery of fishery processing technology in
brackish water or at sea is relatively better than that of
fishing itself. However, because of the declining state of the
waters, this ability has not been able to save our shrimp farms
along the northern coast of Java.

Human resources and the mastery of relevant sciences and
technology for sea transportation, ocean and coastal tourism,
mining at sea and maritime-related industries are also in dire
need of continuous improvement.

Thirdly, there is the low investment in the maritime sector --
in fisheries, tourism, mining and transportation -- compared to
their large potential and investments in that sector in other
countries with far less ocean resources, such as in China,
Thailand and Norway.

Fourthly, there is the very limited infrastructure and
facilities needed to develop the maritime sector, such as ports
and research and development centers.

Q: So how ready are we in fact?

A: I think we're sufficiently ready at the level of the central
government, regarding the first steps to be taken, although this
also needs much improvement.

However, more preparedness is needed at the provincial and
regional levels.

Apart from lacking seriousness in the necessary investment,
infrastructure and science and technology, there has also been
poor coordination and planning. Egoism in different government
sectors was quite strong in the past.

We have also lacked a solid maritime development policy.

Q: What did past governments contribute?

A: The political will from past leaders laid the foundation for
such maritime development. But there were inadequate follow ups.

In 1967, the government under (first president) Sukarno set up
the coordinating ministry of maritime affairs under (navy
officer) Ali Sadikin. But it was dissolved after about a year.

Then at the end of Soeharto's presidency the National Maritime
Council was set up but it was like a paper tiger.

Third president B.J. Habibie stated that Indonesia was a
maritime country -- which was mere rhetoric.

Q: Where did we fail?

A: All shortcomings aside, the past regimes actually did build
significant infrastructures, particularly since the first five-
year development plan. Skills have also been developed since then
(late 1960s).

But we all share the blame for lacking seriousness. The sea
has been exploited far too much and has been the dumping site of
all our waste.

We have not thought of a maritime development strategy as a
source of sustainable economic growth for the good of the people.

Q: How do you see the problems of shifting the mindset toward a
maritime-oriented country?

A: This will take time. But I'm sure constant campaigns can
overcome this as long as the government, especially Gus Dur, is
consistent in supporting this effort.

Our land resources are becoming increasingly thin ...
rebuilding the maritime sector would not mean neglecting the
land. The best should be developed from both the land and sea in
a proportional way.

Q: What is the priority of this ministry?

A: The first is public awareness of the strategic value of ocean
resources ... the second is the empowerment of coastal
communities through mutually beneficial partnerships with large
businesses. This (includes) the processing and marketing of
products.

The third priority is the control of fish catching, developing
processing businesses and maritime biotechnology.

The fourth is reducing or ending the theft in fish catching
and activities which damage the environment.

The fifth is maintenance and rehabilitation of the coast and
sea environment ... the sixth is strengthening existing
institutions, law enforcement and increasing necessary skills.

The seventh is matching research and exploration so that
results can be used as a basis for planning and development; and
the eighth is a compilation of a database and information system.