TUNA CATCH QUOTA SHOULD BENEFIT PEOPLE

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 28 (Antara) - The government is planning to issue a regulation on the tuna catch quota in an attempt to avoid overexploitation and maintain the sustainability of tuna resources in the country.          The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) is gathering inputs from various sides to formulate the regulation, which is expected to help improve the welfare of fishermen and national fish catch business players.          "Tuna is caught at sea and is classified as a natural resource similar to minerals. Thus, a regulation is required for the sustainable exploitation of tuna resources," KKP Secretary General Rifky Effendi Hardijanto had noted in a written statement in Jakarta on Tuesday (Nov 21).          The people need a regulation on the quota of tuna catch, so that the exploitation of resources at sea would be sustainable and have a positive economic impact on the fishermen.          However, the regulation on the quota, which is currently under process at the KKP, should focus on offering optimal benefits to the people and be aligned with the nation's interests.          "The exploitation of tuna should be aimed at improving the welfare of Indonesian people," Herman Khaeron, the deputy chairman of Commission VII of the House of Representatives, noted in Jakarta on Thursday.

INDONESIA SEEKS FAIRNESS IN TUNA CATCH

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 23 (Antara) - Indonesia, one of the world's biggest tuna producers and exporters, is committed to utilizing its tuna resources in a sustainable manner, and the country is hoping fairness is applied while catching tuna at high seas.          One of the high seas rich in tuna resources is the Indian Ocean where Indonesia has long stretches of adjacent coastal areas.          However, among countries in the Indian Ocean Rim having the right to exploit tuna resources, Indonesia has received a smaller tuna catching quota.          Hence, the Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) has questioned the fair principle applied in the allocation of quota for tuna fishing in the Indian Ocean.          So far, the country, with long beaches in the ocean region, is actually getting a lesser quota. This fact was highlighted by KKP Minister Susi Pudjiastuti during the 21st Indian Ocean Tuna Commission meeting (IOTC) held in Sleman, Yogyakarta, on Monday (May 22).          "Many small countries in the Indian Ocean waters also actually sell tuna fishing quotas to other countries," Pudjiastuti remarked.

INDONESIA RESOLVED TO PRESERVE TUNA HABITAT

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 20 (Antara) - Indonesia, which produces over one million tons of tuna yearly and contributes 16 percent to the world tuna exports, is determined to preserve this species' habitat and exploit this natural resource in a sustainable manner.          The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) said it will continue to carry out sustainable tuna fish development and exploitation, both in the upstream and downstream sector.          Director General for Catch Fisheries of the KKP Narmoko Prasmadji said in Denpasar, Bali, on Thursday that sustainable development will be carried out as Indonesia is facing new challenges in preserving its abundant maritime wealth, tuna production in particular.          As one of the world's biggest tuna producing country, Indonesia supplied 16 percent of the total world's tuna production. Tuna contributes significantly to the national fish production.          Therefore, the KKP has focused its attention on urgency of ensuring sustainable management of upstream and downstream tuna fish sector. The KKP also took this issue to the Second Bali Tuna Conference and the 5th International Coastal Tuna Business Forum (ICTBF-5) in Kuta, Badung District, Bali, on Thursday (May 19).

GOVT ASKED TO MAINTAIN TUNA EXPORT VOLUME

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Jan 21 (Antara) - Being one of the backbones of Indonesian fishery exports, tuna fish production and export volumes should be increased and maintained to contribute foreign exchange to the country.          Up till the first quarter of 2015, based on the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), Indonesia¿s trade balance in fishery exports had recorded a surplus. Tuna exports contributed the biggest value after shrimps, namely US$89.42 million.          "This tuna export value was recorded in the first quarter of 2015," the Director General for Fish Processing and Marketing of the Maritime Affairs and Fishery Ministry (KKP) said while inaugurating the International Coastal Tuna Business Forum In Bali last May. He was representing the KKP Minister, Susi Pudjiastuti.          According to the Director General, the government is paying a special attention to the development of the tuna industry in Indonesia as it has played an important role in the nation's economy.