TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry's Fisheries Directorate-General will earmark Rp 467 billion (SGD 35.1 million) this year to build 1,068 fishing boats in various sizes.
Fish catch director general Sjarief Widjaja said that the funds are aimed at boosting public's income and welfare and optimizing the fish catch sector.
"Massive illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing eradication efforts also contribute to the fishermen's productivity. Bans on harmful fish catch equipment, such as trawls, also have an impact," Sjarief said at his office in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 18, 2017.
Sjarief added that the Ministry will also provide 2,990 fishing equipment packages worth Rp 79 billion (USD 5.9 million).
"In addition to the fishing equipment, workshops will be set up in 20 ports for farmers to fix engines and their boats," Sjarief revealed.
Sjarief admitted that there will be more fishing boats with sizes below 30 GT than those with sizes above 30 GT, in order to empower small-scale fishermen.
"Fishes can be found in the middle of the ocean as well as on shores, thanks to Ministry’s polices on the fish resources sustainability. We will provide training for small-scale fishermen to operate boats and fishing equipment," Sjarief said.
RICHARD ANDIKA|SETIAWAN ADIWIJAYA
