The Prohibition Of Maritime Affairs Above 12 Mil Makes Anambas-Natuna Fishermen 'Miskin', The Riau Islands Governor Letter KKP Asks For Disrecretion

Activities in Tarempa Waters, Anambas Islands Regency, Riau Islands.ANTARA/Nikolas Panama

Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad asked the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) not to limit the activities of traditional fishermen, especially in the Anambas Islands and Natuna Regencies in fishing. Traditional fishermen in Anambas and Natuna have always caught fish in waters that reach 20-80 miles. They complained that their fish catch had decreased after the KKP banned traditional fishermen from going to sea over 12 miles. Article 33 of the KKP Regulation Number 18 of 2021 limits the space for traditional fishermen to move when going to sea. Fishermen only get permission to go to sea under 12 miles, while fish are more than 20 miles above. "We accept the aspirations of traditional fishermen regarding regulations that prohibit them from going to sea for over 12 miles. Our fishermen do not want to go to sea under 12 miles, but their fish catch has drastically decreased," Ansar said in Tanjungpinang, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, January 11. The governor will send a letter to the KKP to provide special policies or discretion to traditional fishermen in Anambas and Natuna. The discretion is solely to increase their productivity. "I will communicate this issue to the KKP. Hopefully there will be a solution soon," he said. Acting Head of the Riau Islands Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Service, Tengku Said Arif Fadillah, said the regional government did not have the authority to regulate traditional fishing activities. "That is the central authority, but we are still fighting for the KKP not to limit the space for traditional fishermen to move," he said. According to him, thousands of fishermen from Natuna and Anambas catch fish using only 3--10 GT capacity boats. With this limited capacity, according to him, the catch of fish is not significant. "Our fishermen work not to be rich, but to survive and support their families," he said. The KKP Regulation Number 18 of 2021 limits the fishing zone so that there is a decrease in fish catch. Traditional fishermen in Natuna and Anambas did not dare to pass 12 miles while at sea because they could be arrested by the authorities. "I will also discuss this issue with the Directorate General of Marine and Fishery Resources Supervision (PSDKP) Batam to give discretion to our fishermen," he said.