Minister plans to exploit RI waters

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Affairs Rokhmin Dahuri and five state universities will discuss ideas to further develop the vast potential of Indonesia's marine resources during a national discussion hosted by Haluoleo University in Kendari on Friday.

The minister, who is slated to open the program as the keynote speaker, will also spend three days visiting a grouper fish breeding center located in Tapitapi village on Tiworo island off Southeast Sulawesi.

The short-term economic potential, strategies and sustainable utilization of marine biology will be the main themes at the meeting, which will be attended by experts from Hasanuddin University, Udayana University, Tadulako University, Nusa Cendana University and Mataram University.

According to the provincial fishery office, the government's development of the fish breeding center had enabled farmers to supplement their incomes by exporting fish.

The minister is also slated to visit a shrimp breeding center in Totitoli village, Soropia district, Kendari regency, which was built by a local entrepreneur at a cost of Rp100 billion two months ago. --Antara