The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 04/19/2010 7:58 PM |
Indonesia will provide technical coaching on handling freshwater fish to representatives of eight Asia Pacific countries, who are coming together to share knowledge to ensure the quality of freshwater fish in each country.
Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry and the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry will hold the joint International Training Program on Handling Freshwater Pests and Fish Diseases for Asia and Pacific countries in Sukabumi, West Java, on April 20-29, 2010.
There are 11 participants attending the 10-day training program from nine countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Laos, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu and Indonesia.
“The training is not only for technical purposes, but the main goal is to strengthen and enhance cooperation among countries,” the Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Foreign Ministry, Andri Hadi, said Monday.
He added that the cooperation could encompass not only political matters, but also economic, social and cultural matters, through second track diplomacy events, such as the fishery training.
“Fish aquaculture is not only to cultivate a big number of fish, but more to cultivate healthy freshwater fish,” the Director of Fish Health and Environment of The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, Muhammad Murdjani, said. He added that the training is intended to produce safe fish products, which are free from residue.
According to both ministries, Indonesia’s freshwater industry is advanced in providing technical training for other countries.
The training program is a continuation of similar programs held by both ministries in 2009 for participants from Asia, Pacific and African countries. The training included sessions on grouper fish aquaculture at Situbondo, East Java, and shrimp aquaculture training at Jepara, Central Java.
“Sharing experiences in handling freshwater fish diseases is one of the most important tools of the training,” Murdjani told The Jakarta Post. (ipa)
