"This has been proven by the fact that more than 10,000 foreign vessels have left Indonesian waters, and 488 illegal fishing vessels have been sunk," Minister Susi said in a written statement on Saturday.
According to Minister Susi, this has resulted in a continuous increase in exports, so that the nation?s fisheries products contribute to trade surpluses, with an increase in Indonesian fisheries exports of 10-11 percent, while imports decreased by 70 percent.
Minister Susi also said that in the last three years Indonesia`s trade balance has contributed to deflation.
On the other hand, domestic fish consumption, which was initially 36 kg per capita per year, continued to increase, reaching 46 kg per capita per year.
"When viewed from theses indicators, fisheries are one of the leading sectors which have to be managed properly, as President Joko Widodo has said that the sea is the future of our nation," Susi said.
Further, the minister stated that the challenge is how to maintain the unity and integrity of the nation, and direct the nation`s to be prepared to compete by increasing fish consumption to build a smarter and healthier generation, especially in the era of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and globalization.
According to Minister Susi, fish, as a source of protein, is far healthier than red meat and chicken.
Minister Susi believes that the demographic surplus that Indonesia has must be managed properly for the welfare of all people.
Therefore, she asked the government, along with all civil society organizations, to work together to prevent the loss of conventional jobs due to increasing digitalization.
Reporting by Muhammad Razi Rahman
Editing by Otniel T, Rahmad N
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
