"There are many problems that need serious addressing in the fisheries sector," Akmal Pasluddin of the Commission IV of the House of Representatives said here on Wednesday.
Akmal said among the problems are related to sea fish and fresh water fish production, which is still relatively low, and logistics that needs improvement.
More important is that the ministry needs to seriously address the welfare of fishermen and farmers as well as salt farmers, Akmal said.
"Let the navy be responsible for our sea security and deal with illegal fishing ," he said.
He said the fisheries ministry should focus more on work to increase sea fish and fresh water fish production.
Apparently the lawmaker criticized the plan of the ministry to buy six units of surveillance aircraft and a mother ship to back up the campaign against illegal fishing.
Earlier, Marine and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said the policy of the ministry has succeeded in increasing the countrys fish production.
The "three pillar" in the policy - sovereignty, sustainability and welfare -- are in line with the government vision, the minister said.
Based on data at the ministry, the countrys fish production based on sea fish terminal records, rose 99.14 percent in 2015 from a year earlier.
The contribution of the fishery sector to the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has increased by a higher record than those of other agricultural sub-sectors and the countrys GDP growth rate.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
