RI has vast potential in marine resources

RI has vast potential in marine resources

I Ketut Sutika, Antara/Denpasar

Indonesia's marine resources could, if developed wisely, increase
state revenue and improve the welfare of the people, according to
experts.

Like an unpolished pearl, the country's marine reserves have
not been properly exploited in the country's Exclusive Economic
Zone (EEZ) or along its coastal areas.

The country's seas, totaling 3.1 million square kilometers
from Sabang in Aceh to Merauke in Papua, the 2.7 million square
kilometer EEZ and a coastline reaching 81,000 kilometers, contain
high economic value in terms of marine resources.

Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Fredy Numbery said
in Bali recently that developed countries with a record of
successfully managing their own marine resources had expressed
interest in working with Indonesia in the fisheries sector.

Speaking on the sidelines of the World Aquaculture Society
conference, which was attended by 2,000 people from 85 countries
and closed on Friday, Numbery said the U.S. state of Hawaii was
interested in working with Indonesia in fisheries management.

He said the combined technologies of Hawaii and Indonesia
would yield better results from the country's fisheries.

A number of foreign investors have also shown interest in
investing in fishing vessels and marine resources processing, he
said.

They would also assist in overcoming the various obstacles and
problems in developing the marine sector here.

According to former maritime affairs and fisheries minister
Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, Indonesia could learn a lot about managing
its marine resources from Vietnam, which has successfully
developed its marine wealth by involving foreign investors,
including those from Indonesia.

He said investors were keen to invest in Vietnam due to
transparent regulations and smooth permit issuance procedures,
unlike in Indonesia where investors were often met with, for
example, land disputes and chaotic permit procedures. This poor
image should be improved so that foreign investors will come and
invest in Indonesia in the future.

President Susilo has urged agencies overseeing the marine and
fisheries sectors to make improvements internally to attract
foreign investors.

The director general of fisheries at the Ministry of Maritime
Affairs and Fisheries, M. Fatuchri Sukadi, said that even though
Indonesia was rich in marine resources, it still had to protect
its seas from being overfished.

He said Indonesia should also intensify its fish breeding to
preserve the country's marine resources for the future.

Those involved in the fishing industry in Indonesia have been
facing various problems, among them the high price of fuel to
operate fishing vessels and the limited number of fishing
equipment.

Another issue is environmental damage and pollution, which
affects the marine habitat.

For that reason, fish breeding should be developed,
considering the huge potential along the country's 81,000
kilometers of coastline, Fatuchri said.

Fatuchri said Indonesia could become a global force in fish
breeding and at the same time create job opportunities locally.

An exhibition of the technological aspects of the marine
sector was also organized during the World Aquaculture Society
conference.

The exhibition was participated in by hundreds of companies
from 85 countries.