Source: Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Republic of Indonesia

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JAKARTA (29/7) - Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono is optimistic that the implementation of a “blue” economy-based programs initiated by his ministry will provide a large number of business and employment opportunities to the public. 

The blue economy programs correspond to quota-based, measurable fishing policies and the development of marine, coastal and freshwater aquaculture. 

"Measured fishing policy will provide an economic multiplier effect for employment, the fishing industry, and other fishery activities. The turnover obtained is estimated to reach Rp407 trillion per year. All measured fishing activities will be monitored through a satellite-based surveillance system," explained Minister Trenggono during an online public lecture to participants of the Regular Education Program Batch 64 of the National Defense Institute, Friday (29/7/2022). 

As for cultivation activities, his team is focusing on farming shrimp, crab, lobster, and seaweed. These four commodities are Indonesia's leading export fishery products and the potential for absorption of these commodities in the global market is very large. 

The value of shrimp exports, for example, continues to increase even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the data from the Ministry, its value in 2020 was US$2.04 billion and has increased further to $2.2 billion in 2021. Similarly, the demand for seaweed is quite high, especially from China. 

Efforts to develop the cultivation of these four commodities is expected to open up business opportunities, both in the upstream to downstream sectors, to the business community. This economic activity is also expected to absorb a significant amount of labor. 

"This aquaculture policy aims to reduce the number of catches with significant contribution to the sea, so that fish populations are maintained and certain types of fish can be protected. Additionally, seaweed has a strategic value for absorbing carbon and is a key raw material in other industries," said Minister Trenggono. 

In addition to these two programs, other strategies for implementing blue economy principles in marine and fisheries governance include the expansion of marine conservation areas, marine debris management through the Ocean Love Month program, and sustainable management of coastal and small islands. 

"The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries views the blue economy as one of the main references to make Indonesia's seas sustainable and for the greatest prosperity of the people. The strategy to realize this commitment is to develop the three main pillars of the blue economy, namely ecology, economy, and social," he concluded. 

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