The Government Must Monitor The Export Quota Of Lobster Seeds

Illustration (Photo: Gerhard G. from Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Traditional Fishermen Association (KNTI) asked the government to increase supervision of lobster seed exporters. The goal is that their exports do not exceed the quota given, so as not to make the cultivators run out of seeds.

KNTI fisherman representative Amin Abdullah said that government supervision of the company is more important than monitoring fishermen's license to catch lobster seeds.

"It is important that the company is closely monitored. What is the actual quota, it is not the fishermen who are being watched who are being watched. How many fishermen are watching how many fish you get each day by the PPL," he said, in a virtual discussion, Friday, July 10.

This request is in line with the decision of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Edhy Prabowo, who reopened the lobster seed export tap. Previously, the export of lobster seeds was closed by his predecessor, Susi Pudjiastuti, as stated in Pemen KKP number 56 of 2016.

Amin admitted that he did not want the old events from 2012 to 2015 to happen again. At that time, lobster cultivators went bankrupt because many lobster seeds were sent to Vietnam.

"Lobster cultivation activities have collapsed in Lombok, because they cannot afford to buy or get lobster seeds according to their size according to the wishes of the cultivation because all lobster seeds are all herded to Vietnam," he said.

According to Amin, lobster cultivation can support the community's economy. From the coastal people's business, he continued, the residents depend on their daily living to the needs for the education of their sons and daughters.

"I am surprised if there are officials, especially lobster experts, who say that it is not feasible to develop lobster cultivation because it is detrimental, this also needs to be questioned," he said.

Amin hopes that the government can intervene in lobster cultivation. This is done through the transfer of technology, skills and education to lobster fishermen.

Furthermore, he said, fishermen in East Lombok have qualified experience because they have been in this field for a long time. However, currently there is a lack of government assistance and support.

Previously, the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Edhy Prabowo, said opening the tap for lobster seed exports in a structured manner would increase the added value of people whose lives depend on the sale of lobster seeds.

"The lobster problem is that the regulations we are evaluating did not just appear or just because of the needs of a minister. We conduct studies and research by existing experts. Either through studies, through public consultations," said Edhy, in Jakarta, Thursday, July 2.

Even though the export tap has been opened, Edhy claims the government's main priority is to develop lobster cultivation. The reason is, one lobster can produce about one million eggs.

"The first priority is cultivation, we invite anyone, cooperatives, corporations, individuals, the most important thing is that there are rules. First, you have to have the ability to cultivate. Don't be tempted just because exports are easy, fortunately a lot," he explained.