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Occupation switch needed to conserve lobster populations
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Maritime and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti (left) and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati show samples of lobster seeds confiscated from smugglers attempting to deliver them from Indonesia to Vietnam and Singapore during a press conference in Jakarta on Oct.26, 2016. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
W
ith lobster populations facing rapid decline, regulating the exploitation of lobster seeds is crucial to ensure economic benefits can be enjoyed while at the same time preserving the species' survival.
According to official data, at least four million lobster seeds were sent out of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) before Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Regulation (Permen) No 56/2016 banning the catching of crab and lobster seeds was issued.
After the issuance of Permen No.56, at least 1.9 million lobsters seeds have been seized during smuggling attempts thus preventing Rp 98 billion (US$7.34 million) in financial losses to the state.
“The regulation was issued to preserve lobster populations,” the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry’s fisheries cultivation director general Slamet Soebjakto.
(Read also: Lobster fishermen have no objection to switching occupations: Ministry)
NTB Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Agency head Lalu Hamdi said the province was the production center of lobsters and lobster seeds involving over 10,000 fisherfolk families in Lombok and Sumbawa.
For preservation reasons, after 2015, the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry has banned the catching of lobster seeds weighing 200 grams and less, he added.
Lalu said many fishermen in NTB had lost their livelihoods because of Permen No.56 while others faced legal processes for violating the ban.
“This year we have received Rp 50 billion of cultivation packages. We will focus on fishermen who have had to switch their occupations,” Lalu said. During the third week of July, participants in an occupation switch program will receive training and supervision. During the fourth week they will receive the packages. (ebf)
