Sad News From Indonesian Waters, 83 Fishermen Missing In The Last 6 Months

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) Institute noted that in the last six months, namely from December 2020 to June 2021, 83 fishermen disappeared at sea due to marine disasters and accidents.

DFW Indonesia Coordinator, Moh Abdi Suhufan, stated that in the period December 2020-June 2021, there were 42 accidents experienced by fishing boats or fishing boats in Indonesian waters.

"Of the 42 incidents, we recorded 142 victims, with details of 83 missings, 14 dead, and 42 surviving. On average, in one month 7 incidents were experienced by fishermen and they definitely claimed victims", said Abdi, quoted from Antara, Monday, June 21.

He also revealed that the majority of these accidents were experienced by fishing boats measuring under 10 GT (gross tonnage). For that, said Abdi, technical ministries such as the KKP and the Ministry of Transportation need to improve the protection strategy for small fishermen to reduce the number of victims of fishermen who are making a living in the middle of the sea.

In addition, according to him, the fisherman insurance program run by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries needs to reach fishermen in remote areas and requires service innovation because so far it is difficult to access.

Moreover, the Coordinator of DFW Indonesia stated that the number of incidents experienced by fishing boats indicates the high level of vulnerability of fishermen when making a living.

"They work without self-protection, minimal means of safety, and some without insurance", said Abdi.

As for the fisherman's insurance program so far, he argues that it is still full of bureaucracy and procedural so that it is difficult for fishermen to access it.

According to him, indications of this can be seen, among others, from the fishermen's insurance program regulated in these provisions, which are not widely known by our fishermen.

"Many fishermen and crew members do not know about labor insurance programs and schemes for fishermen and crew members as a group of non-wage workers", said Abdi.

He emphasized the need for a breakthrough in the implementation of insurance programs by the KKP and insurance companies, among others, by collaborating with HNSI or the Fisheries Workers Union to increase the reach of insurance participation for fishermen and crew members, especially in areas and fishing centers in remote locations.

Meanwhile, DFW Indonesia researcher Subhan Usman asked the KKP to increase attention and intervention for small and traditional fishing groups.

"We are worried that KKP is currently focusing on developing large-scale fisheries or industry because it is pursuing the PNBP target (Non-Tax State Revenue)", said Subhan.

In fact, he reminded that small-scale fisheries are the majority of Indonesia's current fisheries business, namely 99.16 percent of the structure of Indonesia's fishing fleet are vessels with a weight of under 30 GT.