Jakarta, June 13, 2012 (ANTARA) - The Government of Indonesia along with Government of France are agreed to strengthen cooperation in technical and scientific fields to increase sustainable exploitation of marine and fisheries resources. As a form of the Government of France through French Agency for Development (AFD) provides full support and commitment, including The Oceanography Infrastructure Development Project which aimed to create new inovations in marine and fisheries sector. In marine sector, both countries agree to enhance cooperation of a strategic partnership between Indonesia and France. It was announced by the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sharif C. Sutardjo when receive the Ambassador of France for Indonesia, Bertrand Lortholory at the Ministry of Marine and Fisheries agency yesterday afternoon (May 11) in Jakarta.

In addition, AFD also provides technical and financial support in feasibility study of concept implementation "ecoport " in Fisheries Port of Indonesia (FPI) as well as site selection studies in the field of marine tidal energy development in Indonesian waters. INDESO itself is a program which designed to control the condition of Indonesian waters including biogeochemical and ecosystems as well as several efforts to increase human resource capacity. INDESO project is a real effort from government to control and maintain Indonesian Waters, particularly in Coral Triangle Region. In addition, other benefits derived from INDESO project is to combat Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. "It is the reason why this project has a strategic value to the development of marine and fisheries in Indonesia, "said Sharif.

Furthermore, INDESCO project can also fulfill dual purpose such as to maintain and enhance the government's knowledge about marine biodiversity in Indonesia, which emphasizes the fisheries management. The plan is INDESCO project will enter the implementation phase on in 2012. For information, * Infrastructure Development of Space Oceanography (INDESO) Project is a soft loan plan from FDA for US$30.2 million. This activity is intended to control the condition of Aquatic Ecosystem in Indonesia, including biogeochemical and ecosystems as part of the agreement in control Indonesian Waters in CTI region. Moreover, theproject also aims to monitor the waters in real time, tuna fish stocks and migration, the health condition of coral reefs, zone marine conservation, as well as detecting illegal fishing activities and pollution due to oil spills. French Agency for Development (AFD) mandated by Government of France to be present in four developing countries including Brazil, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.

The activities of AFD focused on three priorities including to combat climate change, infectious diseases as well as develop and preserve global biological diversity. Earlier, the cooperation built on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Marine and Fisheries Research and Development Agency of Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries with Research and Development Institute of France which had been signed since May 10, 2002. Then the MoU had extended on May 11, 2007. According to Sharif, through the continuation of MoU so that the bilateral relations and cooperation between these two countries will grow stronger.

Meanwhile, other positive outcomes within the framework of bilateral cooperation between two countries, including the implementation of Indonesia - France Seminar on "Development and Industrial of Sustainable Marine Resources and Coastal" last month. Main focus in this seminar was to discuss Blue Economy which was intensively promoted by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF). The seminar brought together scientists and experts in science and marine technology sector, in order to equate understanding of the current issues on the development of sustainable marine and coastal resources. Sharif said, Blue Economy has the potential to realize related growth, development and environment and reinforce each other.

The partnership between two countries has increased in last years, including energy sector renewable for the utilization of ocean waves as an energy source, optimizing the efficiency of the system and energy, reduction of Hydro-Chloro-Fluoro-Carbon (HCFCs), which refers to Montreal Protocol Convention. On that basis, MMAF received a grant of US$4.5 million which have been granted during the period of 2012-2016. The grants were intended to build capacity in the Moluccas, provide human resource training to companies, industries and end users in order to integrate the value chain to development in fisheries sector.

For more information, please contact Indra Sakti, SE, MM, Head of Data, Statistic and Information Center, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (Mobile: 0818159705)

Reporter: Okta
Editor: PR Wire
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