Measures to Stop Fish Poaching will Help Indonesia's Fishermen: President

Gorontalo (Antara) - President Joko Widodo stated that the government's decision to take decisive measures against illegal fishing is intended to help Indonesian fishermen in putting to use the country's sea wealth. "We detained five large foreign ships and 150 small ones across the country last week. We sank three of them on Friday to teach them a lesson so that they will give up poaching in Indonesian waters," the President said in a conversation with local fishermen here on Saturday. He noted that the Indonesian government is taking such decisive actions in an effort to reduce illegal fishing and make sure there will no longer be foreign fishermen entering Indonesia's waters. Other concerns that the president raised during the discussions included his response to fishermen's requests for boats and capital assistance. "We will fulfill it and have made a note of it. Hopefully, it will be provided next year," said Jokowi, as the head of state is popularly called. The fishermen were also complaining about access to capital, which is not as available to them as it is to large fishery businesses. With regard to fuel for fishing vessels, the President said he would do his best to ensure the flow of supplies so that efforts of fishermen to catch fish in the Tomini Bay would not be hampered. Besides being accompanied by the Gorontalo Governor, the President is also traveling with Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel, Minister/State Secretary Pratkno and a number of state officials. Jokowi was viewing the Gorontalo fish market during his working visit to Gorontalo province on Saturday. In the company of First Lady Iriana, the head of state arrived at 8.15 am local time and took a close look at fish selling activities at the market. Besides observing the Gorontalo fish market, the president is also scheduled to inspect the Gorontalo outer ring road project and the expansion of Jalaluddin Airport. From Gorontalo, the president and his entourage will depart on Saturday afternoon for Palembang, South Sumatra for a working visit. (*)