Researcher addresses environment legal concerns to businessman
reported by: Setiawan Liu
Jakarta, March 29, 2020/Indonesia Media – Head of Marine Research Center in Jakarta, Riyanto Basuki is addressing both environment-related legal concerns to fisheries business which insist on the revision of Presidential Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia (Keppres) Number 39/1980 concerning the state’s ban on trawl. The regulation is essential to preserve marine environment and fisheries. “The Regulation has not been revoked until now,” said Riyanto.
If only there is an urgency to use the trawl, it should be restricted to particular area (of trawling). So far, Arafura Sea, overlying the continental shelf between Australia and Papua island, west of the Pacific Ocean is an exception. The area is open for trawling. “I do not quite agree if all of the water throughout the archipelago is open for trawler. Since shrimp trawl is a swept area method at the bottom surface, (this) must be destructive. But it is an exception for Arafura sea which is still tolerable. Arafura and its swamp are also still dominated by mangroves and associated vegetation which can be used for the nursery ground of Penaeidae shrimps,” said Riyanto.
Previously, one businessman of Semarang, central Java Tanto Hermawan insisted that the Government of Indonesia would revoke the regulation for an all-out and effective solution. Tanto also insisted on the growth of fishery industry by revoking the regulation which likely created unconducive business environment. “Trawling is different from shrimp fishing vessel,” said Tanto.
He reiterated that he had consumed so much time, energy, and thoughts to give input during the meeting with Minister of Fisheries and Marine Affairs Edhy Prabowo a few days ago. He said that his schedule was always occupied with his business activities. “I am extremely busy. When I get up in the morning, I can hardly realize my hard working. Suddenly, it comes at night. But Indonesian economic cycle has to run further,” said Tanto.
Seeing that businessman had insisted on the revocation of regulation, Riyanto argued that technical consideration would be much needed to preserve the natural environment for fishery resources sustainability. Survival rates of shrimp is low, namely one to one and half year. Therefor the recovery will not take too long as long as the mangrove is still keeping and cultivation of mangroves. If there is not any capture within a period of time, high natural mortality will likely occur. “shrimp survival rate is not high, maybe only one till one and half year. Therefore, before the destinction occur, the shrimp should be captured. Shrimp trawl is effective to catch. But small mesh codent is advisable to avoid bycatch of juvenile shrimps. Besides, closed fishing seasons should be imposed during the period of harvested since it is believed that greater annual reproductive output will be achieved,” said Riyanto. (sl/IM)
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