Integral system needed to secure sea
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia badly needs an integrated sea security system to maintain its sovereignty over its sea territory and curb fish theft, Minister of Maritime and Fishery Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said on Wednesday.
Speaking after a meeting with Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Sarwono said the security system involved the use of satellite and radio equipment as well as people's participation.
"The integrated system will save money we have had to spend on sea patrols and other conventional security measures, which are costly," Sarwono said, adding that the integrated system will also ease the burden of the water police.
Such a system commonly applies in archipelagic countries, even in Myanmar, he said.
Initial investment for the integrated system could cost the country US$4.5 billion, but Sarwono said it would pay off because Indonesia would be able to save $4 billion annually which resulted from fish theft.
Later in the evening, Megawati attended the first anniversary of Nusantara Day organized by the Maritime and Fisheries Council (DKP), which is also chaired by Sarwono.
The celebration was marked with the launching of a book titled "Where are our sea boundaries?" published by the council. It contains both national and international regulations on sea exploration. The book further details how the share of power in maritime issues will be arranged between the central government and local governments as part of the implementation of the regional autonomy law in January.
"It has taken a while to launched the concept of archipelagic state which only began last year, whereas it has been declared 43 years ago by (former prime minister) Djuanda. But better late than never," Sarwono said.
Sea and water in size make up about 2.82 million square meters or two thirds of the country's territory.
Separately, a group of activists and businessmen in sea- related industries have established the Indonesian Forum for Marine Economy (Forek) with a pledge to develop an environmentally friendly industry in the country.
"Indonesia is the largest archipelagic country in the world, with some 17,508 islands, and it is a shame that we have never really taken care of them, in terms of environment and economic points of view," Emil Salim said in a statement, a copy of which was made available to The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
The open forum consists of scientists, activists, domestic and foreign investors, cooperatives, sea-related companies and individuals who have an interest in maritime affairs.
Emil estimated a total of 2.6 million tons of fish can be utilized every year. Other resources such as fish ponds on the beach can still be expanded to around 500,000 hectares, excluding the development of see weeds and corals, bio-technology, oil, ocean thermal energy conversion, marine tourism and sea transportation.
According to Director General for Small Islands and Management Rokhmin Dohuri, until 1997 Indonesia had only exploited 59 percent of its sea resources.
Emil said the forum will be trying to bring fishery and maritime industry technology closer to people and develop a community-based fish industry on a big scale.
Maritime development also can help decrease the high unemployment figure which is about 34 million nationwide, he said. (edt)