They headed to the compound carrying posters reading "President Jokowi, please stop Minister Susi's image building", "Return the sovereignty of traditional fishermen" and "Bali fishermen reject ministerial regulation", among other messages.

They opposed a 2015 ministerial regulation on catching lobsters and crabs and a 2014 ministerial regulation on a moratorium on issuing fishing licenses.

"Because of this, our catches have dropped significantly and many fishermen are now unemployed. In the past, we could send our kids to school, but now it's difficult just to buy food to feed them," said Bali Fishermen Association coordinator Ketut Aryana Yasa as quoted by tempo.co.

The protesters called on President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to pay attention to the matter, underlining that almost every fisherman supported him in the presidential election. They also urged the President to dismiss Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti.

"Please, Mr. Jokowi, if the ministerial regulation is not repealed, just replace Minister Susi," Aryana added.

He also expressed hope that the Bali Legislative Council would convey the fishermen's concerns to the central government. They have vowed not to conduct anarchic acts as long as their grievances were addressed. (liz/ags)

Popular

Analysis: Prabowo’s approval rating 51 percent and falling

Poverty falls, but the line is too low, economists say

Inequality worsens as wealth gap widens