Senator urges faster legalisation of fishing boats to ease subsidised fuel access
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) member from West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province, Mirah Midadan Fahmid, is urging the acceleration of legalisation for small fishing boats to make it easier for fishermen to purchase subsidised fuel.
According to Mirah, the NTB provincial government’s move through the Marine and Fisheries Agency to make the fast-tracking of fishing boat documentation a priority programme is a sound policy because it addresses the fundamental needs of coastal communities.
“The accelerated legalisation programme for fishing boats carried out by the NTB provincial government deserves appreciation because it touches on the basic problems that coastal communities have faced so far. Fishermen need certainty and ease in accessing subsidised fuel so that their operational costs remain affordable and fishing productivity can be maintained,” Mirah said in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday.
Mirah stated that boat legality is not only related to administrative compliance but is also an important part of the state’s protection of fishermen. With complete documents, fishermen can obtain legal certainty while also gaining easier access to various government programmes.
She revealed that many traditional fishermen have been going to sea for years using boats under 5 gross tons (GT) but still lack official documents such as the Pas Kecil or other supporting documents. This situation impacts their difficulty in obtaining subsidised fuel, which is a primary necessity for fishing activities.
Currently, the recommendation to purchase subsidised fuel for fishermen requires complete and valid boat documents, including the Pas Kecil, the Fishing Boat Book (BKP), and the Fishing Boat Registration Certificate (TDKP).
“With complete documents, fishermen have legal certainty, can more easily access various government assistance programmes, obtain insurance protection, and receive better services in the fisheries sector,” she said.
Mirah noted that the number of small fishing boats needing legalisation in the region is still very large, estimated to reach more than 20,000 units. Meanwhile, only around 1,500 fishermen have been facilitated to obtain boat documents through cooperation with several partner institutions.
She also stressed the importance of collaboration between the provincial government, district/city governments, the Harbourmaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP), and various development partners to accelerate the legalisation of fishing boats in NTB.
“Inter-agency synergy is key. Fishermen on small islands or remote coastal areas must not face difficulties simply because of limited access to administrative services. The state must be present to bring services closer to the people,” she said.
Mirah hopes the accelerated fishing boat legalisation programme can run sustainably so that it has a real impact on improving the welfare of coastal communities. She added that easier access to subsidised fuel will help keep operational costs at sea affordable and support the productivity of the fisheries sector in NTB.