Government Halts Export of Lobster Juveniles, A Boost for Fishermen

Jakarta — The government has officially issued Regulation of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (Permen KP) No. 5 of 2026 as a strategic step to strengthen the national lobster trade. The new regulation is a positive response from President Prabowo Subianto to a proposal by Situbondo entrepreneur Khalilur R. Abdullah Sahlawiy, known as Gus Lilur. Permen KP No. 5 of 2026 revises the earlier Permen KP No. 7 of 2024, with changes focusing on halting the export of Benih Bening Lobster (BBL) and encouraging exports of lobsters grown domestically. Gus Lilur said the points in the regulation align with ideas he sent by email to the President. ‘Alhamdulillah, the pure idea I wrote in the email to the President received a positive response and eventually gave birth to Permen KP No. 5 of 2026. This shows President Prabowo is a leader open to constructive input,’ he said on Friday (6 March 2026). One crucial point proposed by Gus Lilur and now adopted by the government is to shift the export focus. Previously Vietnam was the main destination for BBL; now the government encourages domestic rearing of lobsters to reach a minimum size of 50 grams before export. He says the policy will generate a domino effect for fishermen and local breeders; the market price of consumer lobster is much higher than selling juvenile seed abroad. ‘This is a good moment for all stakeholders. Fishermen and entrepreneurs must respond smartly. Let us strengthen farming and export lobsters of 50 grams to Vietnam so that the value is enjoyed domestically,’ the Denanyar Pondok Pesantren Denanyar Jombang alumnus added. Gus Lilur also praised Minister of KP Sakti Wahyu Trenggono and the Directorate General of Aquaculture for reviewing the proposal technically. The alignment between the President’s directives and the ministry’s execution is seen as a breath of fresh air for the maritime investment climate. However, he cautioned that good regulation must be accompanied by strict on-the-ground monitoring and asked law enforcement to be tougher in eradicating BBL smuggling that has harmed national foreign exchange. ‘This policy benefits not only Balad Group but all players in the aquaculture and fishing sectors. This is my contribution as a son of the nation to strengthen Indonesia’s maritime economy,’ he concluded. (H-2). Indonesia’s export pattern has also been shifting, with non-oil and gas sectors such as metal ore, slag and ash contributing 4.57% to non-oil exports but experiencing notable fluctuations. The cooperation to develop lobster farming with Vietnam is seen as promising for the sector’s growth and Indonesia’s participation in the global lobster supply chain. Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono confirmed the collaboration with Vietnam in the national interest. The lobster puerulus export controversy—debate over pro-contract export of puerulus— is viewed as normal amid efforts to expand employment in the fisheries sector. Pelindo’s Gedor Export Programme showcased its flagship products.