Ambon (ANTARA) - The Ambon Fish Quarantine and Quality Control Center (BKIPM) reported a 50.8-percent increase in export volume of live fishery commodities from Maluku in the 2023 first quarter as compared to the corresponding period last year.

"The export volume of live fishery commodities in the first quarter of 2023 reached 80,873 fish, while in the first quarter of 2022, it only amounted to 53,630 fish, an increase of 50.8 percent," Head of BKIPM Ambon, Hatta Risandi, stated in Ambon, Wednesday.

Vannamei shrimp, tuna, live grouper, and mangrove crabs were the commodities that were largely exported.

A rapid increase also occurred in the export of non-live fishery commodities in the first quarter of 2023, reaching 2,689,303 kilograms.

"When compared to the quarter, there was an increase of 596.31 percent, because in the first quarter last year, it was only 386,219 kilograms," he remarked.

He said if measured by value, the exports of Maluku's fishery commodities in the first quarter of 2023 had reached Rp218 billion.

"As compared to the first quarter of 2022 during which it was only recorded at Rp61 billion, there was an increase of 253.85 percent," he pointed out.

According to Risandi, this improvement was inseparable from the hard work of all elements of BKIPM Ambon and related stakeholders that facilitated the licensing process and services for the exports of marine products from Maluku.

"We want to change the mindset of the people, who used to think that getting permits was difficult, but now, there is a follow-up in just one hour, unlike before, when we even have to wait up to 14 days," he stated.

Risandi said his side had focused on accelerating the process of licensing, certification, and so on.

The speed of service is, of course, inseparable from the synergy between the central government, regional governments, and business actors.

"We would like to thank business actors and stakeholders because they have never stopped carrying out this acceleration effort, and it has become a joint commitment," he remarked.

He further explained that the exports of fishery commodities from Maluku in the first quarter of 2022 and 2023 were mostly to China, the US, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, and the Philippines. Related news: Govt to pilot modern seaweed farming in Southeast Sulawesi and Maluku
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Translator: Ode Dedy Lion, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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