REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has set four targets in the development of the country's maritime sector, which has an annual fishery potential of Rp380 trillion.

"One of the four targets is the availability of the nation's food stocks in the fishery sector, which will strengthen the nation's food resilience," Kadin Deputy General Chairman for marine affairs and fisheries Yugi Prayanto said in a press statement here on Friday.

The second target is to increase the prosperity of fishermen and fish breeders in fishing villages and coastal areas.

"The third target is to facilitate the creation of fish processing and marketing industries, which are expected to grow rapidly with abundant raw materials," he said.

The fourth target, the Kadin official said, is to increase the nation's consumption of fish protein to over 100 percent.

Based upon data from the Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) in 2012, Indonesia's products from caught fish were worth Rp72 trillion, and cultured fish accounted for Rp28.77 trillion.

"In our opinions, the value of fish products is still far from our expectations," said the deputy chairman of Kadin.

In 2013, Indonesia's fishery products reached 19.55 million tons, up 20 percent from 2012 production of 15.5 million tons.

"This gives fishermen and fish pond farmers a chance to increase their incomes by 200 percent or more," he said.

For this, Kadin is encouraging the ministry of cooperatives, the ministry of marine affairs and fisheries, the ministry of village and disadvantaged regions, the ministry of industry, the ministry of trade, the Financial Service Authority and all fishery stakeholders to cooperate in revitalizing the fishery sector, from upstream to downstream sectors.

"We have to embrace all, starting from fishermen, fish pond farmers (including their cooperatives) to fishery processing businessmen and fish marketing players," he said.

Earlier, Kadin also stated that the development of the maritime sector should be harmonized with preparations for the ASEAN Economic Community (MEA) in 2015.

"Indonesia should be able to capture all economic opportunities offered by the ASEAN Economic Community (MEA)," Kadin Vice-Chairman Yugi Prayanto said here on Monday.

According to him, Indonesia should engage in comprehensive, clear, and fair fisheries cooperation with ASEAN countries.

He noted that capital and regulatory support were needed to improve the welfare of Indonesian fishermen.

He also proposed a processing cooperation scheme with ASEAN countries that, however, will ensure Indonesia's sovereignty as the owner of fisheries and related resources.

It was reported earlier that Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti issued controversial policies to prepare Indonesia for MEA.

"In the run-up to the ASEAN Economic Community, Indonesia must become a leader in domestic markets," Susi Pudjiastuti stressed here on Wednesday.

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