So far, many local fishermen involved in the apprenticeship program on fishing vessels in the open seas have quit the program, citing physical weakness.

Batam DKP Fishery and Maritime Resources Supervision division head Dasril Talani told The
Jakarta Post recently that based on the 45/2009 Law on fishery, the presence of foreign fishermen
on fishing vessels owned by local and foreign joint ventures was
legitimate.

According to the law, the composition between fishermen in a vessel initially regulated by the government was between 30 percent local and 70 percent foreign fishermen.

A year later, the composition should become 50:50 and subsequently, the year after, 70 percent local and 30 percent foreign fishermen.

The law requires that the transfer of technology to local fishermen must take place every year.

“But the aim of the law is not being reached,” Dasril said.

“Last year alone, 40 local fishermen were recruited and placed on foreign fishing vessels quit, saying they were not physically strong enough to work for months on fishing ships.

“That’s why there are more foreign fishermen than local ones.”

Riau Islands Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office secretary Misni said earlier 58,000 families in the province depended on fishing as an income.

The provincial adminsitration also plans to start building a fishing port in Natuna regency to help tap the province’s resources.

The port is expected to increase the number of fishing ships operating in the region, offering fishermen both fish auctions and warehouse facilities.

The port will also make it easier for the province to directly record fish exports from the region.

So far the province has recorded fish exports of only 5,000 tons per year, far below its reputed potential of about 20,000 tons.  

According to DKP data, two fishing companies from Thailand and Vietnam currently operate modern fleets and technology in Batam.

Each fleet accounts for around 100 vessels, each of them manned by around 30 foreign crew members, most of whom are from Thailand.

The fleets use modern technology and operate 12 miles beyond
the coast.

“Most of local fishermen operate only up to four miles from the coast because they could not endure farther from that,” Dasril said.

“If the situation continues we are concerned that the presence of foreign fishermen would be more preferable than local fishermen.”

He said efforts have been taken to improve human resources but that local fishermen lacked skills.

Dasril said that fish caught within four nautical miles are worth less than fish caught above 12 miles, which contributes to local fishermen’s lower standard of living compared to foreign fishermen.

“The Batam municipality alone could not improve the welfare of local fishermen due to limited funds, while taxes from foreign fishermen’s marine products are completely handed over to the central government.”

The law requires that the transfer of technology to local fishermen must take place every year.

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