Jellyfish safer after terror attacks

CILACAP, Central Java: Thousands of tons of jellyfish are piling up in warehouses in Cilacap, Central Java, as foreign buyers delay visits to the regency amid fears of further terror attacks in Indonesia.

Exporters, including those from South Korea, Taiwan, China and Japan, buy jellyfish directly from suppliers in Cilacap and neighboring Kubumen regency.

Indonesian Fishermen Association chairman for Cilacap Atas Munandar said on Monday that importers had been scared off by the series of terrorist attacks in Indonesia, including the recent bombing at the JW Marriot Hotel in Jakarta.

"Though we have attempted to convince them that Cilacap is safe."

Munandar said that as a result, thousand of tons of jellyfish had been dried and stored in warehouses belonging to local fishermen.

If the situation continued the price of jellyfish on the international market could increase, he said.

Dried jellyfish is sold in Cilacap for between Rp 500 and Rp 700 per kilogram. --JP