TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said that the fisheries sector could now be considered as a backbone to improve people`s welfare, fishermen in particular.
“At the time when every sector screams of the sluggish economy or the dropping purchasing ability, it is not what the fisheries sector [is experiencing],” said Susi Pudjiastuti in Yogyakarta on Thursday, Oct. 18.
The minister said that it was based on the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) report that suggests fishermen’s purchasing power has risen.
Read: Susi Pudjiastuti Mad at Sandiaga Following Fishing Permit Issue
She further said that the BPS records showed numerous sectors affected by economic inflation, however, the fisheries sector is experiencing deflation. This means that fish prices have yet been reduced.
“The dropping prices are suspected to be driven by the overzealous fish supply,” said Susi Pudjiastuti.
Fishermen’s rising value, according to Susi Pudjiastuti, is caused by the increased average fish supplies from 7.1 million tons to 12.5 million tons annually.
PRIBADI WICAKSONO
