KSP Moeldoko: Our Fishermen Must Be Masters In Their Own Country

Moeldoko/Antara

JAKARTA - Presidential Chief of Staff (KSP) Moeldoko emphasized that national fishermen must become masters in their own country with an increased standard of living and a prosperous economy.

This was conveyed by Moeldoko while overseeing the signing of the Joint Understanding as well as the Signing of the Maritime and Fisheries Sector Cooperation Agreement, in Jakarta, Tuesday.

"It is hoped that our fishermen will become masters in their own country," said Moeldoko as quoted by the KSP press release, in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Tuesday, September 14.

He said the Indonesian government is committed to continuing to improve the protection and welfare of Indonesian fishermen.

According to him, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation Agreement is intended so that fishermen in the Eastern Region of Indonesia can take advantage of fisheries and marine potentials to improve their standard of living and economic welfare.

As is known, through Permen KP 58/2020 concerning Capture Fisheries Business, small fishing boats under a capacity of 30 GT are only allowed to enter lane two (4-12 miles) and lane three (above 12 miles) with certain conditions.

However, many fishermen face legal problems for crossing this territorial boundary. Based on reports from the North Sulawesi Marine and Fisheries Service, these local fishermen were forced to cross the designated area to take shelter in nearby islands due to logistical needs and weather constraints.

Moeldoko hopes that with the signing of the agreement, fishermen will be facilitated and be able to become masters in their own country and make strategic contributions to the presence and productivity of national fish barns.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, said that the central government appreciated the local government and local communities for having good synergy in the sustainable management of marine resources.

"This policy is expected to be able to increase the distribution of local products from the East, so that it is no longer Java-centric," said Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, who was also present at the signing of this memorandum of understanding.