Lobster Ban Enrages Fishermen in East Java
28 January 2015 16:16 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Banyuwangi - Fishermen in Banyuwangi, East Java, have sent a letter containing protest to Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Susi Pudjiastuti. The fishermen requested Minister Susi to lift the ban on selling lobster that weighs less than 200 grams.
Fishermen Coordinator at the Grajagan region, Yudi Susanto, said that the ban has caused some fishermen to lose their jobs because during the rainy season fishermen rely heavily on selling lobster. "We can't fish due to bad weather," he said.
Previously, Yudi can sell one to two kilograms of lobster every day. For lobster weighing from 100 to 200 grams, Yudi can get Rp 350,000 to Rp 450,000 for one kilogram of lobster.
Meanwhile, Supariyanto, a lobster wholeseller in Grajagan, said that he cannot sell around 3,000 lobsters because of the ban. "None of the exporters would like to buy [the lobsters], because the Quarantine Agency will reject it," he said.
Supariyanto said that Minister Susi should first disseminate information about the regulation before deciding to apply it.
IKA NINGTYAS
