Indonesian Seas' Potentials

Indonesia has the second longest coastline in the world after Canada and its territorial waters extend over 5.8 million km square. These are assets that should make its maritime sector one of the biggest contributor to the nation's gross domestic product.

Unfortunately, that's not the case. Indonesian fishing industry pales in comparison to other regional countries. Despite its enormous natural resources, the country's fishing industry harvests only 4 million tons a year. According to Indonesian Department of Maritime and Fisheries, total maritime industries only contributing about US$ 3.2 billion a year.

Contrary with China, with only 8% of Indonesia's maritime territory, has far larger maritime sector. Indonesia's annual $ 1.8 billion worth of exports is a mere shadow of Thailand's haul of $ 4.2 billion from fisheries exports a year.

The silver lining in this gloomy state of affairs is, of course, the enormous potential for growth within the industry, potential that probably has no equal anywhere in the planet. Realizing that potential will not be simple. As with the agricultural sector, fisheries in Indonesia has been left behind; little development of human resources or technologies in fish hatcheries, fishing or processing.

It still needs many developments and supports in many areas to up lifting maritime industry. Many waters has not been harvested properly, mostly in east region of Indonesia where fishermen still using traditional tools. This region know for good habitat for fishes, shrimps and oysters. It will be sad for its citizens if this region not developed properly and will be wasted along the time.

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