Fishermen landlocked by sedimentation

Fishermen landlocked by sedimentation

CIREBON, West Java: The sedimentation of river estuaries in Cirebon regency was threatening the future of thousands of fishermen, regency fishery office head Nunung Siti Nurjanah said on Tuesday.

"Although the sedimentation process has taken place for a long time the local administration has done nothing," she complained.

Sedimentation blocks access to the sea from rivers and vice versa.

A fisherman from North Cirebon, Moch. Tabroni, 34, said he often had to wait up to five hours for high tide to be able to enter the Bondet River estuary.

Another fisherman, Khusaini, said the delays meant he and other fishermen had to sell their fish at cheaper prices as it was no longer fresh.

Of 4,500 boats in the regency, 85 percent belong to traditional fishermen who can only sail six miles from shore, triggering overfishing in coastal waters. -- JP