Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, acknowledges global criticism of Indonesia's fishing practices as outdated and unregulated. Describing them as somewhat barbaric, he admits to a lack of strategic planning, resulting in fish capture without considering market demand. Sakti warns of potential long-term consequences, stating that if these practices persist, Indonesia's marine biodiversity faces depletion. In response, the government introduces a policy shift towards measured fishing practices based on quotas, aiming to preserve ecological balance and protect marine resources. Sakti emphasizes marine conservation's importance to maintain sustainable ecosystems. Conservation areas ensure consistent fish reproduction, providing substantial benefits to local communities. He draws parallels with land-based conservation, protecting areas to allow species to thrive naturally.
Conservation areas serve three crucial purposes: acting as natural fish breeding grounds, optimizing oxygen production, and absorbing carbon dioxide. Coastal areas, including tidal marshes, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, play a vital role in carbon absorption. Damage to these areas poses a risk to overall marine ecology. Despite exceeding targets, Sakti expresses concern about the low economic well-being of fishermen and cultivators. He insists that the Fishermen Exchange Rate (NTN) and Fish Cultivator Exchange Rate (NTPi) should ideally reach 200, necessitating government interventions. To enhance coastal community livelihoods, the government initiates projects like Modern Fisher Villages in Biak, equipped with proper facilities. Sakti envisions wider implementation through inter-ministerial collaboration. In economic terms, Sakti reports Marine and Fisheries Non-Tax Revenue at IDR 1.69 trillion and a credit program of IDR 7.37 trillion as of November 2023. He remains optimistic that collaborative efforts across ministries will transform fisher villages into clean, healthy areas, akin to international models.
