Minister Edhy: Cantrang And Lobster Policy Made For Community Welfare

Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo (Photo: kkp.go.id)

JAKARTA - Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo said that policies related to cantrang and lobster are aimed at the welfare of fishermen and cultivators. He emphasized that the two regulations are not policies that are instantaneous and without study.

"Most importantly, the permit was made for welfare, benefit or not for the community," said Minister Edhy as quoted from the official website of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Friday, July 3.

The cantrang policy, for example, Edhy said, so far there have been clashes with traditional fishermen. Therefore, to accommodate these problems, the KKP made arrangements according to zoning. He underlined that this fishing gear is not legal for all groups and all locations.

"This is not talking about big businessmen. Many people also have cantrangs," he continued.

Meanwhile, with regard to the lobster policy, as stated in Permen KP No.12 of 2020, Edhy ensures that the policy is for fishermen who live from catching lobster seeds. In addition, the policy is also aimed at stimulating the cultivation of these commodities.

Moreover, currently the government has provided access to capital that can be utilized by all levels of society through the People's Business Credit (KUR) program and public service agencies (BLU) from the Marine and Fisheries Business Capital Management Institution (LPMUKP).

"We involve the community to be able to cultivate it. The outcome is prosperous," he explained.

Therefore, Edhy hopes that the public will see these two policies in their entirety. The policy direction for marine and fisheries development includes protection and empowerment of fishermen to increase fishermen's income and optimization and strengthening of aquaculture for employment and provision of animal protein sources for community consumption.

"What is clear is that our enthusiasm is how fishermen who have been living from this activity, because it died, are turned off because they are not allowed, we turn it back on so they can eat, send their children to school and build their area," he concluded.