- AP Photo/Kyodo News
VIVAnews - Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Fadel Muhammad, expects increase in fish prices prior to the Ramadan. However, the government, he said, will not import more fishes in no time.
"We must take pity on our fishermen," he said today, July 20.
He said the prices of local fishes are now higher than the imported products, especially those distributed from China. Ambon's tuna is tagged at Rp8,500 per kilogram while mackerel is worth Rp14,000 per kilogram. In the mean time, imported mackerel from China is only offered at Rp5,000 per kilogram.
According to Fadel, the soaring prices of local fishes are due to the high transportation costs. "It takes 12 percent of expenses for transportation," he said.
The government prepares minapolitan program to deal with the issue. Nine areas as varied as Bitung, Ambon and Muncar, East Java, are available for fisheries-based development.
Another project that is included in the government's lineup under way is aqua culture. "It's a huge shot. Japan has been successful in producing tuna [from the program]," he said.
PDIP Bisa jadi Oposisi, Bantu Pemerintah Mengkoreksi Bukan Saling Berhadapan
Sikap politik PDIP yang saat ini ditunggu-tunggu, apakah memilih menjadi oposisi dari pemerintahan Prabowo Subianto - Gibran Rakabuming Raka, atau ikut masuk di dalamnya.
