REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TANGSEL -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has promised to seek a solution to the ban imposed on fishermen to use cantrang, or trawls, during fishing operations.
"The government will find the best solution for fishermen," President Jokowi stated after inaugurating the start of the construction of rusunami, or subsidized low-cost apartments, with ownership rights, in Ciputat, South Tangerang, on Thursday.
The president claimed he had received several reports on protests lodged by fishermen over the ban on the use of trawls.
"I will check the condition on the field first. I will evaluate the policy adopted by the maritime affairs and fisheries minister, but believe me, we will offer the best solution to fishermen," the president emphasized.
He admitted to have not yet met Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti.
"I have heard one or two (reports) about it. However, I have not yet spoken to the maritime affairs and fisheries minister. I will announce it later what type of policy regarding trawls will be adopted after meeting the minister," Jokowi noted.
Also read: European Union lauds Indonesia's effort to combat IUU fishing
Based on a ministerial regulation that came into effect since January 2017, the use of trawls to catch fish has been banned.
In the meantime, speaking in connection with the results of an economic census of the Central Bureau of Statistics that revealed Java still dominated the nation's activities, the president said the government must continue to conduct infrastructure development outside Java in order to boost connectivity.
"However, to drive industries outside Java, the necessary infrastructure is not yet ready, and there is no seaport and electricity," he explained.
According to the president, infrastructure must be readied first. If infrastructure is already complete and the licensing system is quick, it will be easier for industries to move out of Java.
"If we solely encourage them to move outside Java when no infrastructure is available there, it will be impossible (to drive industries to shift outside Java)," the head of state remarked.
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