…we must maximize the potentials of our food industry, since especially currently, the (food sector) potential of the maritime sector has not been optimized.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Ministry is collaborating with the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Ministry and state-run fuel trading company PT Pertamina Patra Niaga to ensure access to subsidized fuel for Indonesian fishermen.

Fishermen’s demand for fuel has reached 3.4 million kiloliters per year, KKP Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono noted here on Thursday.

Hence, his ministry has established six fishing zones—with a maximum of five fish landing ports in each zone—across the country so that subsidized fuel reaches the targeted beneficiaries.

The determination of the zones is expected to make it easier for the SOEs Ministry and Pertamina to monitor the distribution of fuel, Trenggono explained.

"So, with (the establishment of) these clusters (fishing zones), we will be able to control whether the fuel (supply) is still adequate or not at the five (fish) landing locations (in each zone)," he said.

On Thursday, a collaboration agreement was inked between the KKP Ministry and SOEs Ministry at the KKP Ministry’s headquarters.

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Capture Fisheries of the KKP Ministry and PT Pertamina Patra Niaga signed a cooperation agreement on the same occasion.

SOEs Minister Erick Thohir said that inter-ministerial collaboration is very important to improve people's welfare.

"Collaboration between ministries is very crucial to ensure the sustainability of making various transformations for (increasing) the welfare of Indonesian people because the world keeps on evolving. If we do not adapt (from now), it will pose a problem for us in the future," he added.

Thohir further said that the cooperation will be carried out to support the KKP Ministry in developing the blue economy.

"...We must maximize the potentials of our food industry, since especially currently the (food sector) potential of the maritime sector has not been optimized," he added.

The KKP Ministry has five blue economy programs whose implementation can be synergized with SOEs, including expanding the water conservation area target, implementing quota-based measurable fishing policies, and developing environmentally friendly aquaculture.

The other programs seek to ensure the sustainable management of coastal areas and small islands as well as reduce plastic sea debris through the Care for the Sea Month program.


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Translator: Benardy Ferdiansyah, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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