EU to grant fishing vessels to RI fishermen

The Jakarta Post Jakarta

The European Union (EU) is accelerating attempts to pass a policy to grant tsunami-stricken nations used fishing vessels, in addition to training assistance for local fishermen in operating the vessels and in fisheries management.

Rio D. Praaning Prawira Adiningrat, president of Brussels- based investment consulting firm Praaning Meines NV/SA told The Jakarta Post recently that the EU commission was still discussing procedures for granting the vessels, and would make a decision soon.

Praaning Meines is currently an advisor to the EU.

"Due to the tsunami the EU has called for the grant of used fishing ships, especially to Indonesia, and at the same time indicates that it may open up the EU fish market to tsunami- stricken countries," he said.

Part of the EU's efforts to widen the market for fish products from affected countries will be to cut import duties and to raise import quotas allocated to these countries.

Adiningrat explained that the EU had a lot of ships and fishermen but insufficient fish resources, while Indonesia had resources but insufficient vessels and skills.

The vessels will be given to fishermen who are willing to set up a joint venture company with fishermen from the EU. EU fishermen will assist local fishermen to operate the vessels.

The joint ventures are expected to employ local fishermen and at the same time transfer advanced fishing technology.

According to Adiningrat, the ships and training facilities for Indonesia will be allocated mostly to fishermen living in Aceh who were severely impacted by the Dec. 16 tsunami. However, the EU would also consider expanding the project to fishermen living in other provinces.

According to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, losses for the fishing industry in Aceh due to the disaster were estimated at some Rp 3.8 trillion (US$414 million), comprising mostly destruction of hatcheries, fishing equipment and vessels.

The ministry said over 14,000 Acehnese fishermen perished in the disaster while 6,000 of 8,000 fishing vessels in the province were either destroyed or lost.

Most Acehnese fishermen affected by the disaster live on the eastern coast of Aceh, and most of them have refused a government offer to relocate them to safer areas on higher ground.