TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo said his staffers were studying the plan to allow exports of lobster seeds as many Indonesians' livelihood depend on the sector.

“Many people's livelihood depend on harvesting and selling lobster seeds. Thousands of people in the sector. Are we going to let them starve to death?” said Edhy at the ministry building in Jakarta, Monday, December 16.

Edhy hoped Indonesia could later breed lobsters by itself in the country, given its role as the world’s largest producer of baby lobsters. This, he added, was the greatest opportunity for Indonesia’s economy.

Moreover, the country has many places from the westernmost city of Sabang to the easternmost city of Merauke for lobster breeding. Edhy pledged the central government would seek a way to overcome problems faced by farmers. He was also ready to coordinate with other related ministries on facilities.

However, while the infrastructure was not yet ready, the minister claimed that exports would be a temporary solution. He planned to set an export quota as it was applied to other commodities.

Recently, Edhy Prabowo’s plan to export lobster seeds sparked controversies among the public, including former Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti who actively voiced her rejections on her Twitter account @susipudjiastuti.

CAESAR AKBAR | HENDARTYO HANGGI