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.