“This regulation must be finalized soon because smuggling must be stopped immediately. Once again, our marine wealth is extraordinary. We must protect it for the welfare of our people,” Gibran said after harvesting farmed lobsters at the Marine Aquaculture Center in Batam, Riau Islands, on Wednesday (Sept 10).
The Vice President emphasized that the regulation, also urged by Commission IV of the House of Representatives Chair Siti Hediati (Titiek) Soeharto, should be completed without delay to prevent state losses from lobster seed smuggling.
According to Gibran, lobster farming in Batam has already shown promising results, with an initial harvest of 1.7 tons, part of which was exported to Singapore.
“The size and breeding methods are already very appropriate. What needs to be done now is to increase productivity, replicate, and expand it in other areas,” he said.
In addition to lobsters, other marine commodities with blue economy potential include Napoleon fish, jade perch, silver pomfret, and tiger grouper, which also require productivity improvements.
Related news: Indonesia launches first lobster harvest to boost blue economy
Meanwhile, Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono stated that the government is finalizing a Presidential Regulation on the Task Force for Combating Illegal Lobster Seed Smuggling.
“The regulation on the Task Force is being processed and will be signed soon. I have already reported this directly to the President, and he confirmed that it is under process,” Sakti said during his visit to Batam on Wednesday.
He explained that the regulation would serve as a legal instrument to strengthen monitoring and prevent recurring smuggling practices.
He also noted that Ministerial Regulation No. 7 of 2024 on the management of lobsters, crabs, and swimming crabs is no longer in effect, particularly regarding export schemes under joint ventures.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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