Lobster Cultivators: The Ministry Of Marine Affairs And Fisheries Regulation Clearly Sides With Entrepreneurs, Not Fishermen

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The policy of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries regarding the export of lobster seeds continues to reap reactions. The government claims that the presence of Ministerial Regulation (Permen) of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Number 12 of 2020 is for the sake of growing lobster cultivation.

Lobster cultivator from East Lombok, Amin Abdullah, has a different view. Amin said, if you read with the naked eye, the KKP Ministerial Decree 12/2020 indeed accommodates all interests. The regulation stipulates the rules for all communities, both fishermen, cultivators and the allowed export quota.

However, Amin said, the regulations issued by the government, in this case the KKP, actually took sides with exporters or entrepreneurs. According to Amin, the KKP Regulation is not in favor of lobster cultivators, including fishermen.

"The KKP candy is the spirit of the export of seeds. Why? Because the May KKP candy was issued, but if we look at the fact that today there are several companies that can export seeds. Even though the KKP candy requires exporters to carry out cultivation activities. article 5, "he said, in a virtual discussion, Friday, July 10.

Amin said it took 8 to 12 months to cultivate to get lobsters with a size of 150 to 200 grams. This is the question of his party, how can the new regulations take effect a month exporters can already run seed exports.

Moreover, Amin said, in Pemen KKP number 12, the company requires cultivation in a sustainable manner provided the company releases or restocks 2 percent of the seeds.

"Where do these exporters come from doing seed export activities? While the mandate of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries is written like that? This is a big question. We suspect that the KKP Ministerial Decree 12/2020 has been cultivated, but in fact it is only camouflage for sweetening so that friends. "Cultivation friends throughout Indonesia or in Lombok do not rebel," he said.

Government Support Is Needed So that Lobster Cultivators Live

Initially, Amin said, in Lombok there was overfishing or excessive fishing. This is because capture fisheries are so busy. So that the recommendation that must be issued from the government at that time is cultivation. This is the background for growing cultivation in Lombok.

Furthermore, Amin said, lobster cultivation developed well in 2010 to 2013. Then in 2013, 2014 to 2015 lobster cultivation activities collapsed in Lombok because they could not afford or get lobster seeds according to size.

"Did not get the seeds according to the wishes of cultivation. Because all lobster seeds, were herded to Vietnam from 2012 to 2014. So that the cultivators collapsed on time," he said.

Then, continued Amin, the cultivators held a large meeting in East Lombok to ask for recommendations from the DPRD, the Fisheries Service, and government representatives. The result is to encourage the governor to issue a set quota so that farmers can get seeds in 2015.

"But this recommendation has not yet been made to the governor of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries at that time, Mrs. Susi Pudjiastuti issued Ministerial Regulation number 56 of 2016. In 2020, Pemen KKP number 12 was issued. The spirit of exports," he said.

Amin said that the government should issue a regulation that is in favor of cultivators rather than opening seed exports whose benefits are only concerned with the short term.

Furthermore, Amin considered, this policy is truly ironic. This is because Vietnam, whose sea area is only the size of East Lombok, is able to become the largest lobster exporter in the world. Supposedly, Indonesia was able to beat Vietnam because of its wider sea.

"The question is why can't we be like Vietnam? People can also cultivate. (Because) government policies are destroying cultivation activities," he said.

Amin said there must be intervention from the government to strengthen it in terms of support for cultivation. Moreover, the Indonesian people already have experience in lobster cultivation.

According to Amin, Indonesia's future rests with fishermen and cultivators, not on lobster seed exports. Because of this, the government should support it by issuing policies that favor the cultivators.

"How to support technology, skills, education, whatever it is to cultivator friends to increase understanding and knowledge. Supported by policies that take sides and benefit them, instead of issuing candy or policies that are detrimental," he said.