Technology key to marine resources

Technology key to marine resources

JAKARTA (JP): Appropriate technology is badly needed to bridge
the gap between the country's unexplored rich marine resources
and the desire to uplift fishermen's welfare, State Minister of
Research and Technology Muh. A.S. Hikam said on Thursday.

"There is a wide disparity between the fishermen and available
technology. We need a more 'down to earth' technology rather than
getting stuck in rhetoric in developing our marine resources," he
said.

We have to bridge the gap by bringing technology closer to the
fishermen and achieving real results, Hikam said, while pointing
at the country's poor exploration and management of marine
resources and industry.

"I wonder why Indonesia still has to import salt when we have
the world's longest shoreline of 88,000 kilometers? We should
have become the world's largest salt exporter!" the minister told
a media briefing here.

Among the technology that is applicable to the fishermen is
the Lestari (Lentera Matahari) solar lamp and Lacuba (Lampu Celup
Bawah Air) underwater lamp, he said.

"But the distribution of such equipment must be properly
managed. Since such lamps are quite expensive, each can cost
around Rp 2 million ... the cooperatives must help the fishermen
to obtain such equipment," Hikam added.

In a bid to boost the country's marine industry, the ministry
in cooperation with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and
Fisheries, State Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of
Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Communication will hold
the giant Marine Industry Expo 2001 and seminars in Surabaya from
Feb. 21 until Feb. 23.

The expo aims at boosting investors in marine industry, which
actually has a great market demand.

Data from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries shows
that demand for the year 2004 in the sector of sea and salt water
fish is estimated at 6.4 million tons.

"Potential for unexplored oil and gas drilling is estimated at
57.3 barrel up to the year 2004, while sea transport service is
predicted to transport around 21.6 million tons in packages and
17.3 million passengers over similar period," said Anjar. S., on
the expert staff at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and
Fisheries.

Another potential marine industry is tourism.

"We have to strive to restore confidence in our country.
Without that, no investors will come," Hikam said.

"We project around 11 million marine tourists in 2004. While
Thailand already had 8.7 million visitors this year. Why? I think
it has something to do with our country's national security,"
Hikam said.

In an effort to boost fish production, Hikam said various
programs have been introduced, such as fish hatcheries and
genetic engineering to raise the production of Tuna and Kerapu
fish.

In the wake of regional autonomy, Hikam also revealed that a
Regional Research Council (DRD) will be set up in the country's
26 provinces.

"Like the National Research Council (DRN), DRD will function
as an independent board consisting of technology experts and
activists from each region. They will report to the governor.

"The core members of the DRD come from universities. Among the
provinces that already have DRD are Central and East Java,
Yogyakarta, West Sumatra, Riau and North Maluku," Hikam said.

He said the ministry strived to prove that technology was
useful and worthwhile for people.

"Now, our budget is only 0.2 percent of the GDP while the
international standard set by UNESCO is a minimum of 1 percent of
GDP," Hikam said. (edt)