"The blue economy concept was developed to encourage private firms."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The blue economy concept does not rely on the marine and fisheries sector alone; it relies on other sectors too, said the Minister for Marine and Fisheries, Sharif Cicip Sutardjo.

"Blue economy does not rely on the country's marine sector alone. By developing the blue economy, economic growth can be generated and more jobs can be created, while ensuring environmental sustainability," he said.

The minister said the blue economy paradigm is a new economic model to run the marine and fisheries sector. It can be applied to other sectors to encourage the use of natural resources in an efficient manner, which is also environmentally friendly.

Sharif also said his ministry is reviewing the blue economy concept to develop the marine and fisheries sector.

Basically, five major objectives can be achieved through the implementation of the blue economy concept - efficiency of natural resources, zero waste, social inclusiveness, production and consumption balance, and innovation and adaptation.

Programmes to develop the marine and fisheries sector will be implemented in the western and eastern parts of Indonesia.

In fact, a workshop on blue economy was held on 26 November 2012, resulting in an agreement between the ministry and the conceptor of the blue economy, Gunter Pauli.

Blue economy looks into the development of seaweed cultivation, artemia salt and fish feed.

Besides, the ministry is also keen to increase the value of fishery products, to increase the income of the locals and to promote economic growth.

"The blue economy concept was developed to encourage private firms to contribute to the development of the marine and fisheries sector," he said.

In 2011, only 77.38 percent of the Indonesian waters had been utilised.

Only 682,857 hectares (23.04 percent) of brackish aquaculture (ponds) had been utilised for commercial purposes, when 2.96 million hectares of ponds could have been used
(T.M040/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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