Antara News, Fri, June 17 2011
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia was asked to become the Regional Center for Inland Fisheries Development. This was stated today (June 17) by Marine and Fisheries Minister, Fadel Muhammad, after attending the Ministrial Meeting which opened by Thailand Vice Prime Minister, Trairong Suwankhiri in Bangkok, Thailand.
"This is an honor for Indonesia to be trusted by SEAFDEC (South East Asian Fisheries Development Center) countries member as a place to the sub-commision organization activities which was initiated by Japan.
According to Fadel, as one of the marine and fisheries producer countries in the world, role of Indonesia in development and construction in fisheries sector is highly valued by other countries. Another honorary for Indonesia is in this Ministrial Meeting, Indonesia is trusted to be vice chairman together with Thailand which will be a host as well as chairman for the meeting.
Fadel stated, there are other important things which agreed by Agriculture and Fisheries ASEAN Ministers together with Japan in the SEAFDEC that is Indonesia at the end of 2011 will be a host to organize the ministrial meeting to discuss Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing solutions which often occurs in Indonesia.
The last thing to be discussed in Bangkok meeting this time is economic partnership between ASEAN countries and food security partnership especially fish until 2020. All of SEAFDEC members are also agreed with Indonesia as a coordinator to concern with food security threatening issue.
During the SEAFDEC Ministrial Meeting, Fadel with Malaysian Agricultural Minister, Dato Seri Noh Umar held a bilateral meeting to discuss about fisherman security between two countries.
In this bilateral meeting, the solutions for those securities issues will be solved amicably for the advantage and welfare of Indonesian and Malaysian fishermen.
After the bilateral meeting, Fadel and Omar feel grateful that all fishermen security issues which has happened can be solved. Today, Fadel and Omar are also agreed to prioritize fishermen welfare and security when fishing.
For further information, please contact Dr.Yulistyo Mudho, M.Sc, Head of Data, Statistics and Information Center, The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (Mobile 0811836967).
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
