Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu said here Monday Minister Fadel made the promise when presenting the plan and strategic concept on making Maluku a national fish barn to Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono in Jakarta last week.
"At the time, Minister Fadel pledged to allocate funds amounting to Rp985 billion from the 2011 budget. But it is not clear whether it will be allocated in the State Budget (APBN) or the Amended State Budget (APBN Perubahan)," the governor said.
For sure, the fish barn concept would involve sectoral ministries so that it needed program synergy, he said.
"Many ministries will be involved in the program but the coordinator will be Minister Fadel. It is expected to be realized soon," he said.
Maluku Province, according to the governor, is ready to be designated as a national fish barn.
"An expert team from the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) coordinated by Prof. Dr. Eng. John Haluan, M.Sc, had presented the concept on October 9, 2010, and it has been improved by marine and fishery experts from the University of Pattimura (Unpatti) in Ambon," the governor said.
Maluku has a total of sea areas covering 658,294.69 km2 or 92.4 percent from its territories of 712,479.65 km2, with three Fish Management Regions (WPP).
Its sustainable fish potential is 1.64 million tons annually and so far only 300 - 500 tons annually have been utilized.
(Uu.F001/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
