T

he Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry plans to increase Indonesia’s fish production to 22.39 million tons by 2015, a significant jump from the 14.87 million tons targeted next year.

The ministry estimates that production could reach 12.3 million tons in 2011, up from 11.2 million tons in 2010.

“We plan to make Indonesia the world’s leading fish producer by 2015 and have thus targeted fantastic fish production levels every year,” Minister Fadel Muhammad said on Thursday after opening the Indonesian Blue Revolution Expo and Forum 2011 in Jakarta. The production included fish, shrimp and seaweed to be produced by fishing and aquaculture techniques.

According to the ministry’s director general of aquaculture, Ketut Sugama, seaweed accounted for up to 60 percent of the total production.

“It takes only 45 days to grow seaweed before farmers enjoy harvest time. We can cultivate seaweed in coastal areas and those without enough water,” he said.

Ketut also said the government would allocate Rp 100 billion (US$11.2 million) from the PKBL partnership development program conducted by all state-owned companies.

The program aims to increase seaweed production in Bali, Lombok, East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Banten, Halmahera, Biak and West Papua.

“Eastern Indonesia still has a lot of potential for seaweed aquaculture,” he said.

He said that each small business group would receive Rp 30 million. The budget would be realized soon and would pay for seeds and infrastructure requirements, he added.

The groups would be charged 6 percent interest per year. This year, seaweed production was projected reach 5 million tons and had reached 3.9 million tons as of June.

For fish aquaculture, the government will allocate Rp 1.045 trillion from the 2012 state budget, up from Rp 968 billion this year.

The government hopes to add to the 3.1 million aquaculture farmers already operating, increasing manpower to 4.95 million farmers next year, Ketut said.

Besides budget allocation, the government also teamed up with foreign counterparts to reach the 2015 production target.

On Tuesday, Norway and Indonesia held their first one-day seminar on aquaculture technology involving Norwegian fish farming firms, research institutions and representatives from both countries in Jakarta.

Fadel said Norway was chosen for its advanced aquaculture technology and for being the world’s second-largest fish exporter.

Ketut said the new technology promised genetic improvement, increased food production and disease prevention and could be applied at offshore areas in Lombok, as Indonesia has yet to fully developed this potential.

“Genetic improvement allows a fish to gain 1 kilogram in six months, while currently we need one year,” Ketut said.

Faster growth would result in faster production and greater export trade, he added. (fem)