Jakarta, (Antara) - Marine and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said the biggest obstacle in the fight against illegal fishing is internal affairs.
"The biggest obstacle unfortunately comes from within us ourselves, who have certain interest," Susi said here on Thursday.
The minister expressed concern with the attitude of business players in the fishery sector especially those whose business interest was hit by impact of the government policy seeking to eradicate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing .
"All those suffering under the policy waging war against illegal fishing have been out of manner.They justify false actions, distorted facts and twisted the reality that make it difficult for the government to develop the fishery sector, to protect the industry, and the interest of fishermen," she said.
Therefore, she said she strongly hopes for the unity of the whole cabinet in seeking to preserve and sustain the country's marine resources for the future interest of the nation.
She said she need political support from all elements of the government to protect the country's fishery resources.
"Unless we continue the fight against illegal fishing, it is not impossible that out seas would be depleted of fish," she said.
There is limit to fishery resources as there is to to mineral, oil and other natural resources, without sustainable exploitation, she said.
"This is renewable resources but if we do not care, well it would finish," she said.
The Marine and Fisheries Ministry under Susi has adopted a tough measure against illegal fishing, exploding and sinking vessels used in illegal fishing.
In two years of the present government hundreds of foreign fishing boats used for illegal fishing have been destroyed in the sea.
The policy has significantly reduced cases of illegal fishing in Indonesian waters.
The government has said illegal fishing has caused losses of hundreds of trillion rupiahs to the state every year.(*)
