"I see that no specific issues and themes about fisheries are highlighted at the IMF-World Bank meeting in Bali," Suhufan stated here Tuesday.
According to Suhufan, the lack of discussion on marine and fisheries issues is unfortunate, as international support, especially from the WB, is needed.
Suhufan pointed to the first issue of infrastructure financing, considering the low development of infrastructure, such as fishing ports, in the last three years. This occurred partly due to the grand design of the construction of fishing ports not going well due to limited state budget.
According to Suhufan, the existing fishing ports will be unable to accommodate the growing number of fishing vessels. If the state budget is limited, there should be other schemes to finance fisheries infrastructure.
Suhufan also expressed hope that the meeting would discuss ways to take precautionary measures to tackle climate change and disasters on the coast.
"Currently, some 7,801 coastal villages are prone to disasters, while 2,266 villages are susceptible to robbery. Some 15 million Indonesians living in coastal villages could suffer owing to disasters and robbery. Mangroves on the coasts have increasingly reduced due to the construction of houses and ponds as well as abrasion. Some 52 percent of the mangroves are in critical condition," he noted.
He also expressed hope for international commitments to supply sustainable financing for marine conservation in Indonesia.
Suhufan reminded that the Coral Triangle Initiative that aims to protect coral reefs in the Pacific region, including Indonesia, requires international financing through a fairer scheme.
"Do not let the financing scheme only be a campaign of international institutions that have never been fulfilled for Indonesia," he stated.
Suhufan emphasized that improving human resources and protecting fishery workers were other important topics that should be discussed at the meeting.
He noted that the government should remain committed to improving marine and fisheries human resources as well as protecting fishery workers at home and abroad.
An estimated 250 thousand Indonesians currently work on foreign fishing vessels without adequate protection, for which international commitment is necessary to protect them.
Reporting by Muhammad Razi Rahman
Editing by Libertina W Ambari
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
