Palm | Kelapa Sawit

Antara 8 Mar 13;

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Greenpeace Indonesia will focus on launching campaigns against over fishing to protect the country`s marine environment starting this year.

"Our focus will be on over fishing and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities because the two issues need to be monitored," Greenpeace Indonesia campaigner Arifsyah M Nasution said here on Friday.

Greenpeace is usually concerned about environmental problems such as deforestation and wildlife poaching activities. But starting 2013, the NGO will also campaign on marine issues.

"As a maritime nation, Indonesia is rich in marine natural resources, so we should participate in its protection. Last year, we carried out an internal research and in 2013 the result will be made public," he said.

"We are rich in natural resources but it`s vulnerable. There are almost 50,000 traditional fishermen that need protection in Indonesia. If we don`t take repressive actions, our food sovereignty is threatened," he stated.

Indonesia is expected to play a leading role in the marine resources protection because the country has abundance of fish.
(T.D016/F001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH