Lobster Larvae Policy Should Protect Fishermen’s Livelihood, President Jokowi Says

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo accompanied by Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono, answers questions from reporters during the inauguration of sections two to four of Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road at Samboja Toll Gate, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Tuesday (17/12). (Photo by: AGUNG / PR)

The most important thing related to lobster larvae export policy that it should boost state revenue and protect lobster fishermen’s livelihood, as well as preserve the environment, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“The policy is expected to increase added values of the country,” President Jokowi told reporters after inaugurating sections two to four of Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road at Samboja Toll Gate, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan province, Tuesday (17/12).

The President went on to say that both environmental and economic considerations should be evaluated together.

“It needs considerations,” he said.

The President also expressed belief that experts will take into account the impacts of the exports, including lobster larvae smuggling, fishermen’s livelihood, and added values for the country.

Previously, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) reported that the value of lobster larvae smuggling funds abroad reaches Rp900 billion per year, adding that the funds were then used to buy illegal lobster larvae from local fishermen.

“Within a year, as many as Rp300 billion to Rp900 billion were used to buy illegal lobster larvae,” Head of PPATK Kiagus Ahmad Badaruddin said at the Reflections of the End of 2019, at the PPATK office, Jakarta, Friday (13/12).

According to Badaruddin, lobster smuggling abroad involves an international syndicate. He also said that the funds from abroad to Indonesian business actors were sent through foreign exchange activities or money changers.

In the meantime, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo said that the efforts to ban larvae exports could not stop larvae smuggling.

“The smuggling keeps happening,” Edhy said in Yogyakarta, Sunday (16/12).

He also said that the plan to lift the ban on exporting lobster larvae is the Government’s effort to improve economic values of the people. (UN / MAY / AGG / ES)

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas