Because aquaculture production supplies about 45 per cent of fishery products consumed worldwide and the rapid global demand for fishery products continues to grow, while the supply through traditional sources is stagnant, the Indonesian government said it is continuing in its efforts to promote the sustainability of the supply and demand of fishery products in the future through the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable cultivation technology.
Secretary General of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sjarief Widjaja speaking in Jakarta, said that in addition to the technology development, the government is inviting stakeholders to participate actively in fishing and collaborate to construct a fisheries policy that contribute to build a secure supply of fishery products in a sustainable manner.
"Therefore, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has called on WorldFish, an international non-profit organization in Asia, to put together a master plan for national aquaculture by 2020, through the Future Indonesian Aquaculture research projects that will be implemented over 18 months", said Sjarief.
Sjarief said, Indonesia Aquaculture Futures is a collaborative project between the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and WorldFish that will provide a great opportunity to comprehensively seek to increase the value of consumption and production of the fishery sector.
The project is expected to develop scenarios of supply and demand for fishery products for the future, and to build an understanding of the opportunities and challenges to foster sustainable aquaculture in Indonesia.
"The results of this project is important to us and will be constructive as additional input and continuous efforts in ensuring sustainable growth of aquaculture development as well as production and consumption of fishery products in Indonesia", said Sjarief.
Sjarief added, according to a report from the World Bank and FAO, in 2030 it is estimated that almost two-thirds of the consumption of fishery products in all over the world will come from aquaculture.
The Asian region including South Asia, South East Asia, China and Japan are projected to make up 70 per cent of the global fish demand.
"Therefore, I believe we all understand the importance of a sustainable supply of fishery products in the future", said Sjarief.
