Govt eyes 22.39 million tons of fish production by 2015

The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry plans to increase Indonesia’s fish production to 22.39 million tons by 2015, a significant increase on the 14.87 million tons projected for 2012.

This year, the ministry has predicted that fish production may reach 12.3 million tons, slightly higher than 11.2 million tons last year.

“We plan to make Indonesia the world’s leading fish producer by 2015, and have targeted substantial fish production levels every year,” minister Fadel Muhammad said on Thursday after opening an expo forum “Indonesian Blue Revolution 2011” in Jakarta.

Production comprises various marine products including shrimp and seaweed. The fish are caught through catch and aquaculture techniques.

According to the ministry’s director general of aquaculture, Ketut Sugama, with quantities of up to 60 percent seaweed would continue to dominate marine products. “It takes only 45 days to grow until farmers are able to enjoy the harvest period. We can cultivate seaweed in coastal areas, or in areas with water shortages,” he said.

Ketut said that the government was ready to allocate Rp 100 billion (US$11.2 million) from the partnership and environmental development program (PKBL), which involves all state-owned companies. The funding will serve to increase seaweed production in Bali, Lombok, East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, South East Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Banten, Halmahera in North Maluku, Biak and West Papua.