Minister Susi Provides Natuna Fishermen with Fishing Equipment
7 August 2017 21:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti gave Rp1.97 billion worth of fishing equipment to numerous fishermen in Natuna. She hopes that it would stop local fishermen from using blast-fishing or dynamite fishing.
“I don’t want to hear stories about fishermen blast fishing with dynamites, which would kill the corals even though it has beautiful seas. Now that fishes have repopulated, fishermen don’t need to use explosive devices anymore,” said Minister Susi on Monday, August 7.
She also reminded authorities to not tolerate blast fishing and fishing by poisoning. She reminded that explosives can ruin six square meters of seabed per gram of ‘pontas’, and local fishermen usually bring one jerry can worth of the explosive material.
During her official visit to Natuna, Minister Susi Pudjiastuti also observed the development of the Integrated Marine and Fishery Centers (SKPT) project and provided local fishermen with insurances, fishing vessels, and several types of fishing equipment.
Susi Pudjiastuti explained that the government provided fishermen insurances as an official appreciation for young local fishermen who are not reluctant on taking it to the seas.
ANGELINA ANJAR SAWITRI