REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Marine and Fishery Affairs Minister Susi Pudjiastuti has urged fishermen to comply with regulations issued by the government.
The minister, in a written statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday, emphasized the importance of fishing communities to comply with the rules.
"President Joko Widodo has signed the Presidential Regulation No. 44/2016, which does not allow foreigners to fish in Indonesian waters," Pudjiastuti stated.
She pointed out that fishermen should obey the rules for gaining the country's attention towards them, in order to realize sustainable fisheries.
She asked the fishermen to report the size of the ship and details of the fishing gear accurately without cheating and pay taxes honestly.
"If owners of the ship cheat, the fisheries sector cannot contribute to the state's finances," she noted.
Therefore, she called on authorities to make a consolidation to anticipate frauds.
Indonesia should lead the global efforts in eradicating illegal fishing since it is closely linked to other crimes that need to be addressed through international cooperation.
"Indonesia should lead the formation of new norms in the fight against illegal fishing both at the regional level and the global level," Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan earlier stated.
According to Pandjaitan, Indonesia has led a regional meeting that will form a legal instrument to combat illegal fishing at the regional level.
He noted that the effort involves countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, China, Korea, Japan, the US, and EU countries.
"Japan, the US, and the EU must to be involved as the world¿s fishery market countries. The EU is the world¿s largest fish importer, amounting to 24 percent of the total value of fish business in the world. Without pressure from the world¿s biggest market, efforts to combat illegal fishing will be difficult to be carried out," he explained.
In addition, he remarked at the Association of Indian Ocean Oversight Countries Summit in Jakarta some time ago that a document of cooperation on fighting illegal fishing was agreed.
Another effort is through international symposiums on fishery crimes held in several countries.
"Indonesia should use this momentum to demonstrate its leadership," he pointed out.
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