REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries planned to provide fishing ships in 2016. Procurement of the ships would be using the state budget and the Special Allocation Fund of Rp. 4.7 trillion, for 4,000 ships.

Secretary General of  Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sjarief Widjaja, said the fishing ships will be given to group of fishermen according to its population and territory. If the population of the fishermen needs ships, as in Natuna, then the ship will be given.

"All region in Indonesia get ships, but the amount varies with different capacity. There are 30 GT, 20 GT, or 10 GT," said Sjarief.

Sjarief explained, there are certain areas which are considered not to require large ships in the southern island of Java. Thus, this region will only be given ships with a capacity of 10 GT for operating distance of 4 miles.

Meanwhile, the northern island of Java tends to have no fish so that the fishermen should be given a ship with a capacity of 30 GT. The fishermen can sail to Natuna and Arafura.

"For next year, Arafura, Natuna, Bitung, and the southern island of Java will be strengthened," said Sjarief.

According to Sjarief, the ships will be given through cooperatives. In the near future, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries will establish cooperation with the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs to encourage fishermen to form cooperatives.

By forming cooperatives, the fishermen can have legal entities and assets. This can facilitate the fishermen to obtain credit from banks.

This year, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries is ready for giving 160 fishing ships. The first submission is planned to be done in early October 2015.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika