WEB DESK: Indonesia’s Marine and Fisheries Ministry is exploring opportunities for cooperation in fish farming, particularly for tuna, with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Guangdong Province, China.
The cooperation was discussed during a meeting between Marine and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono and Director General of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Guangdong Liu Zonghui in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Trenggono noted that Indonesian waters, especially in Zone 3, including the Arafura Sea and the eastern Timor Sea, are rich in tuna and skipjack tuna.
“The potential is very large in Zone 3; if possible, we can create a project there that integrates fishing, farming, and management that also involves business players,” he said.
According to him, fish farming in Indonesia is mainly still being carried out through traditional ways. To push modernization in fish farming, synergy with various stakeholders, including governments of other countries, is needed.
The Marine and Fisheries Ministry has made a road map for fishery governance based on the blue economy to ensure the sustainable utilization of fishery resources, including fish farming development.
“Fish farming cooperation will push the development of the fishery industry, both upstream and downstream, which will have an impact on workforce absorption and economic growth. By strengthening farming, illegal fishing can be curbed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Liu welcomed cooperation opportunities with the ministry.
He informed that his department will study the fishery potential in Indonesia further.
Liu noted that Indonesia has very large potential in the development of fish farming. To tap it, technologies available in China can be adopted in Indonesia.
He stated that he will make efforts to bring manufacturers from Guangdong to join the cooperation that will be established later.
