The Secretary General of the Indonesian Longline Tuna Association (ATLI) Dwi Agus has shared on the phenomenon of higher income, despite the declining volume of tuna fish supply.
The growing revenue is a result of the recent increase in the price of tuna, following the decline of world supply of tuna. The phenomenon occurs soon after the implementation of a new policy issued by the Maritime and Fishery Affairs Ministry. The ministry, led by Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, has issued a prohibition on transshipment activities since November 2014.
Tuna catchment production declines but the nominal (income) increases by 12.8 percent from last month (January). The reduction of catchment is 35 percent. Catchment cannot be said to have decreased significantly. (We) can only observe during the March-April period, Dwi Agus said in a discussion that took place at the Ministry on Friday (6 March 2015).
According to Dwi, the phenomenon is caused by the declining supply of fish at the export destinations, thereby pushing up the fish commodity price. The importing countries do not have fish stock, so we (Indonesia) have been offered a high price. Secondly, the higher price is due to the strengthening of the US dollar, said Dwi Agus.
Meanwhile, it was also shared the there is also a stronger demand even for the lower quality of fish. In 2014, the export totaled 13,699 tones, which includes the tuna, marlin and swordfish.
According to the ATLI data, companies in the association are recorded to have exported fish to Japan, Lebanon, USA, Singapore, Canada, Thailand, Korea, Germany, Philippines, Hong Kong, China, and Vietnam.
In front of Transportation Ministry officials, Maritime and Fishery Minister Susi Pudjiastuti had reportedly shared that major fish markets across South East Asia have a shortage in fish stock.
The illegal fishing practice has been eradicated. As evidence, the Songkhla region in Thailand is now closed and quiet. General Santos (Philippines) is closed and quiet. So the price for fish in the Asian markets have equally increased, that is because of the decrease in supply, said the Minister.
Global Indonesian Voices (GIV) © 2014