Fishing boats not seaworthy

Fishing boats not seaworthy

BENGKULU, Bengkulu: Around 50 percent of the 70 fishing boats operating off Bengkulu are not seaworthy for a variety of reasons.

The head of the Bengkulu port office Fikri Ali said yesterday that the condition of the old boats is bad and they are not furnished with safety equipment.

But he said that although their condition is poor they are still allowed to operate in fear of the possibility of a decrease in fishing products.

"Anyway, the condition of fishing boats here is better than those found in the Central Java port town of Pekalongan and Sibolga, North Sumatra," he said.

He added that local fishery production has decreased since large trawling net was forbidden last January. Fish prices in the markets have also increased, Fikri said.

Since then tuna fish has increased from Rp 4,000 ($ 1.71) to Rp 6,500 per kilogram and mackerel from Rp 3,500 to Rp 5,000, Antara reported. (16)