Indonesia Highlights IUU Fishing At European Tuna Conference

JAKARTA, April 25 (Antara) - Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is a serious matter and is not only the enemy of Indonesia but also the world, and hence, all countries must agree on completely eradicating the practice. Indonesia's commitment to completely eradicating such an illegal practice has led the country to highlight IUU fishing activities at the 6th European Tuna Conference held at the Crowne Plaza Brussels-Le Palace in Brussels, Belgium, on April 24, 2017. Representing Indonesia, Marine and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti was among around 300 participants and expert speakers who offered different perspectives on the new trends for tuna fishing and processing while also providing a different economic point of view on tuna consumption and ethics throughout the four sessions of the full-day event. This event, focused on the theme "Rethingking Tuna. Moving Into a New Era," offered the right platform for participating countries to place their companies and products in the spotlight among those who really matter. Speaking at the 6th European Tuna Conference, Minister Pudjiastuti presented the development of the fishery industry in Indonesia and the government's efforts in tackling IUU fishing activities. The European Tuna Conference 2017 focused on the changing supply situation in the European tuna markets. It brought together leading raw material suppliers, fishing companies, processors, tuna brands, distributors and traders, as well as retailers and bankers to debate and discuss the challenges and opportunities within the tuna industry. The conference was aimed at tuna professionals dealing with the production; packing; import and export; and marketing and distribution of fresh, frozen, and canned tuna to and within the European market. Indonesia was among the largest tuna-producing countries in the world, with an average production of 1.15 million tons in the last decade, while the average global tuna production had reached some 6.6 to 6.8 million tons. Indonesia contributes 16 percent of the global tuna production, and some 300-400 thousand tons of tuna are supplied to meet the nation's needs, while the rest was exported to Japan, Europe, and the US. However, at the 6th European Tuna Conference, the largest tuna fishery business gathering in Europe held every two years, Minister Pudjiastuti remarked that fish stocks on the southern coast of Java Island and other Indonesian waters was a matter of grave concern due to rampant IUU fishing practices. According to Pudjiastuti, IUU fishing practices can be handled effectively solely through the strengthening of international cooperation. "IUU fishing must be categorized as a transnational crime, as it is often associated with international organized crimes. In practice, IUU fishing is conducted in conjunction with other crimes, such as human trafficking, illegal drugs, and also involves the practice of modern slavery," Pudjiastuti added. Such a criminal act of IUU fishing respects neither national boundaries nor international attempts to manage fishing in the high seas, and is a serious global problem that contributes to over-fishing, creates unfair competition, and impedes sustainable fisheries. Therefore, harsh measures have been adopted by the government, such as detonating and sinking foreign fishing vessels trespassing and poaching Indonesian waters. According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Indonesia is the second largest fish producer in the world, but the country is not the largest fish exporter, and does not even go in the rank of 10 major fish exporting countries. Hence, the rise of IUU fishing is pointed out as the reason why Indonesia is not the largest fish exporting country in the world. IUU fishing has lasted for more than 30 years but not many who understand such a criminal act. However, the government of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is committed to taking the strongest possible action against foreign illegal fishing vessels, warning that Indonesia will not hesitate to even sink them if necessary. Pudjiastuti has stated that the perpetrators of illegal fishing certainly did not like the extreme steps being taken by Indonesia, but according to her, the regulation to safeguard a country's territorial sovereignty is the right of all nations. In accordance with a presidential instruction, Minister Susi said she had to focus on the eradication of illegal fishing. Further, she called on the international community to be aware of the devastating impacts of illegal fishing and must implement a more sustainable fishing method to save the ocean. "Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing harms not only the economy but also the environment," Pujiastuti remarked in Jakarta recently. The minister stated that China has prepared to suspend fishing activities in its waters in the border area of Natuna Sea, Indonesia. China's fishing moratorium is a good example to protect the country's maritime and fishery resources for future generations, she remarked. "The authority has cracked down on illegal fishing for the past three years. If the government chose to wait for another five years, then the fisheries resources might be severely depleted," Pudjiastuti pointed out. The minister added that one of country's important waters is a breeding zone, comprising of 60 percent tuna, which is frequently threatened by over-fishing activities. The United Nations and the European Union had been previously invited to oversee the country's action to eradicate illegal fishing, Pudjiastuti stated, while adding that the invitation was a step to reaffirm the world organizations' commitments towards a sustainable fishing sector. Indonesian government has been assertive to punish the criminals, she reiterated.