Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia’s Maritime Affairsand Fisheries Ministry is seeking to resume lobster larvae exports to countrieswilling to make investments in aquaculture cultivation in the Southeast Asiancountry.
Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister SaktiWahyu Trenggono was quoted by local media as saying that Vietnam had been theprime destination for Indonesia’s lobster larvae exports, adding that revenuefrom exporting the product to Vietnam was estimated to reach 2.5 billion USD.
He said that Vietnam needs to invest first or engage incultivation in Indonesia, so that Indonesia can also reap the benefits and achievea multiplier effect as well. Afterward, if everything is successful, Indonesiawill conduct a further review, the official added.
Exports of lobster larvae were halted in 2016 to prevent over-exploitation, butwere reopened in 2020 under former fisheries minister Edhy Prabowo.
However, the ministry reimposed the ban in mid-2021, whichhas remained in effect until now, following the conviction of Edhy who wassentenced to five years in prison for accepting bribes in exchange for issuingexport licences. Sakti defended the plan, saying lobster larvae smuggling hadbecome rife since the ban was enacted.
The official said the Indonesian government may consider reopening the exports,but promised it will be accompanied by efforts to attract investors in thedomestic aquaculture sector. He added that the review process ofreopening exports is hoped to conclude next year.
According to the ministry’s aquaculture director general, TBHaeru Rahayu, the ministry is currently formulating a specific ministerialregulation for the export of lobster larvae. He added that the regulation wasalso undergoing public consultation. However, Haeru is pessimistic aboutwhether the ministry can complete and implement the regulation in 2024, due toits rigorous process.
Earlier, Indonesia’s Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministrylaid out possible schemes to reopen the exports, saying it will promotetechnological exchanges, to develop the domestic aquaculture sector.
The proposed regulation will also require exporters whopurchase wild-caught lobster larvae from fishermen to ensure that a specifiednumber of larvae are released from fish farms into the wild to replenish thepopulation./.
Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister SaktiWahyu Trenggono was quoted by local media as saying that Vietnam had been theprime destination for Indonesia’s lobster larvae exports, adding that revenuefrom exporting the product to Vietnam was estimated to reach 2.5 billion USD.
He said that Vietnam needs to invest first or engage incultivation in Indonesia, so that Indonesia can also reap the benefits and achievea multiplier effect as well. Afterward, if everything is successful, Indonesiawill conduct a further review, the official added.
Exports of lobster larvae were halted in 2016 to prevent over-exploitation, butwere reopened in 2020 under former fisheries minister Edhy Prabowo.
However, the ministry reimposed the ban in mid-2021, whichhas remained in effect until now, following the conviction of Edhy who wassentenced to five years in prison for accepting bribes in exchange for issuingexport licences. Sakti defended the plan, saying lobster larvae smuggling hadbecome rife since the ban was enacted.
The official said the Indonesian government may consider reopening the exports,but promised it will be accompanied by efforts to attract investors in thedomestic aquaculture sector. He added that the review process ofreopening exports is hoped to conclude next year.
According to the ministry’s aquaculture director general, TBHaeru Rahayu, the ministry is currently formulating a specific ministerialregulation for the export of lobster larvae. He added that the regulation wasalso undergoing public consultation. However, Haeru is pessimistic aboutwhether the ministry can complete and implement the regulation in 2024, due toits rigorous process.
Earlier, Indonesia’s Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministrylaid out possible schemes to reopen the exports, saying it will promotetechnological exchanges, to develop the domestic aquaculture sector.
The proposed regulation will also require exporters whopurchase wild-caught lobster larvae from fishermen to ensure that a specifiednumber of larvae are released from fish farms into the wild to replenish thepopulation./.
VNA
