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Anti-illegal fishing measures show results, time to cut red tape: Jokowi
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Traditional fishing boats are moored at Muara Angke Port in Jakarta on April 5. (ANTARA FOTO/Wahyu Putro A)
T
he government’s fight against poaching in Indonesian waters has had good results and must be followed up immediately by boosting investment in downstream businesses, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has said.
"Cut any complicated rules and procedures that hamper investment in the sector," he told the coordinating maritime affairs minister and the maritime and fisheries affairs minister at a limited meeting on fisheries at the Presidential Office in Jakarta on Tuesday.
At the opening of the meeting, Jokowi claimed that the government’s firm measures against illegal fishing had shown good results, with increasing fish stocks in the country’s waters. This situation should be used to increase fisherfolk’s welfare and to meet local consumption needs.
However, to develop the fishing industry, the President said, supporting infrastructure, such as ports, roads and electricity as well as land availability for the seafood processing industry must be ensured.
"Therefore, we must begin to develop the fish processing industry and fish canning industry. It will also absorb workers," he went on.
Jokowi has expressed optimism on several occasions that the fisheries industry could boost economic growth, given the fact that two-thirds of the country is sea. However, its contribution to gross domestic product is below 30 percent. (ags)
