Trawl and Seine Net Usage Ban Will Be Loosened

Trawl and Seine Net Usage Ban Will Be Loosened

JAKARTA, Kompas – The regulation to ban trawl and seine net usage in Indonesian waters will be implemented gradually. The net usage ban will be fully implemented in 2016.

It is stated on Circulation Letter about Maritime and Fishery (KP) Minister Regulation No. 2/2015 about Trawl and Seine Net Usage Ban in Indonesian Fishery Management Area received by Kompas. The circulation letter was sent to governor, regents/mayor, technical unit head and KP department head, captured fish employer, and law enforcer in fishery sector.

The circulation letter discussion with stakeholders is scheduled to be held on Monday (2/2). The circulation letter stated trawl and seine net usage ban are fully banned in all Indonesian waters on January 1^st 2016.

Fishing permit (SIPI) with trawl and seine net usage issued before the implementation of Ministerial Regulation No. 2/2015 still prevails until it expires.

The expired SIPI of fishing vessels constructed domestically with trawl and seine net can still be extended until December 31^st 2015. It aims to give an opportunity for vessel owners to replace their fishing tools.

Responding the circulation letter, Indonesian Traditional Fisherman Association (KNTI) Chairman, Riza Damanik, said the circulation letter as the implementation guidance of Ministerial Regulation No. 2/2015 is the government’s backward effort to respond the protests from business players over trawl and seine net ban.

KP Ministry’s Captured Fishery Director General, Gellwyn Jusuf, last week, said trawl and seine nets are massively used in all regions. (Kompas)