Jakarta (ANTARA) - Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono has said he wants to develop Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, as a lobster cultivation center so that, in future, it can serve as a model both nationally and internationally.
"I want to make Lombok the center of lobster cultivation. Even to (ensure it meets) world class (standards). The spirit must be like that," Trenggono said in a statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The minister said he has held dialogues with baby lobster catchers and lobster breeders in various lobster cultivation centers and directly observed floating net cages.
To support the productivity of domestic lobster cultivation, the bureaucratic process for cultivation licensing would be made easier, he informed.
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, he added, will also support setting up of facilities and infrastructure, provide assistance to cultivators, and prepare markets.
Minister Trenggono emphasized his commitment to fighting the smuggling of baby lobsters to markets abroad, and urged fishermen to not sell baby lobsters to individuals involved in illegal trade.
"If anyone wants to export baby lobsters to enrich foreigners, I will fight it. But for cultivation here, I support it to death," he remarked.
Earlier, to support the sustainability of national marine and fisheries resources, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) had declared war on the practice of smuggling baby lobsters.
"We have received directions. The point is we will take firm action against the smugglers of baby lobsters. Without compromise," acting director general of marine resources and fisheries supervision (PSDKP) at the KKP, Antam Novambar, said.
The war on the smuggling of baby lobsters includes following up on a meeting between Minister Trenggono and the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy on the issue, he added. (INE)
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