"Thus, through the zero waste concept, we try to utilize all parts of the fish."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia has promoted the zero waste fishery product in the frame of blue economy concept during the Coral Triangle Countries Business Forum 2013 in Nusa Dua, Bali, on March 24 through 26.

Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries Affairs` Head of Data, Statistics and Information Center Indra Sakti said by phone from Bali that Indonesia comes up with the proposal of the zero waste fishery product in bringing the blue economy concept to other five participants of the Coral Triangle countries, namely Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Island, and Timor Leste.

"Indonesia is chosen as the host of this business forum, hence we take the chance to promote the blue economy concept, particularly to emerge the zero waste in the fisheries industry," he said.

According to him, the Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries Affairs followed up the blue economy concept that also brought in the APEC Senior Officers Meeting (SOM) I in Jakarta, where Indonesia became the chairman in 2013.

Briefly, the zero waste concept in the fishery industry is an effort to utilize all parts of the fish and give it economic value, like fish head that is produced as raw material of omega 3 and the innards which are processed as fertilizer, he explained.

"In the recent fisheries industry, part of the fish used is only its body, while the head and the innards were thrown away. Thus, through the zero waste concept, we try to utilize all parts of the fish," he said.

The other points of the blue economy concept that brought by Indonesia during this forum is the importance of the sea conservation by each Coral Triangle country.

"The sea conservation will allow us to protect the environment as well as to ensure the sustainable fishery industry," he said.

Sakti added the Coral Triangle Countries Business Forum 2013 also featured Gunter Paulie, the blue economy initiator and entrepreneur, to discuss the potential and challenge that faced by the six spanning countries of their sea areas.

To Indonesia, Sakti said the forum is very important regarding the most of the country`s territory consists of sea and its export value has reached US 4 billion dollar per year, hence the sustainable development through the blue economy approach is a mandatory.

"By implementing this approach, it will drive us to manage the natural resources efficiently by the support of the creativity and technological innovations," he said.
(T.A060/B003)

Reporter: A. Fitriyanti
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2013