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Lobster larvae exports could derail govt plans for fishery industries, experts warn
Lifting the ban would contradict the government’s “blue economy” agenda and Indonesia could face difficulties with its downstream push in the fisheries sector.
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Protected species -- Jakarta Police officers inspect containers containing lobster eggs, locally known as "benur," at a warehouse complex in Parung Harapan Indah Kosambi, Tangerang regency, Banten, on Sept.15, 2016. (Antara/Lucky R.) (Antara/Lucky R.)
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ndonesia could face difficulties with its downstream push in the fisheries sector as the government seeks to reopen lobster larvae exports, with local businesses and experts warning that the move would be a setback to the country’s aquaculture industry.
The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry set a minimum price of Rp 8,500 (54 US cents) per head for exports of lobster larvae early this year. It has assigned three ministry-backed agencies to absorb, sell and control the overseas marketing of the larvae.
The ministry previously said countries could only purchase Indonesian lobster larvae if they are willing to invest in the local aquaculture industry, with Vietnam as the prominent target of the policy.
At least five Vietnamese companies are ready to invest in lobster farming in Indonesia in exchange for receiving lobster larvae imports, according to the ministry. Vietnam was previously Indonesia’s largest lobster larvae importer.
Effendy Wong, advisor of the Indonesian Mariculture Association (Hipilindo), sees the policy as detrimental to the country’s local economy and said it was merely a way for the government to monopolize larvae exports and funnel them straight to Vietnam.
“We own about 80 percent of the world’s tropical lobster larvae and we have all of the capacity we need to develop the downstream lobster industry domestically, but where’s the effort?” Effendy told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Effendy condemned the rules as a “bad practice”, questioning the ministry’s foray into commercial activities.
