Indonesia’s fish stock has declined in the past five years as more of the country’s waters are now fully exploited, according to new government data.
The latest data released by the fisheries ministry earlier this month put Indonesia’s estimated fish stock at 12 million metric tons, down almost 4 per cent from the 12.5 million metric tons estimated in 2017. The data also showed that 53 per cent of the country’s 11 fisheries management areas, known as WPPs, were now deemed “fully exploited,” indicating that more stringent monitoring is required, up from 44 per cent in 2017.
Marine observers say the figures are cause for concerns, especially in light of the fisheries ministry’s plan to increase production at a time when more of the fisheries areas are already fully exploited.
One major plan by the ministry is to reopen the country’s fishing grounds to vessels funded by foreign investors, which were previously blamed for depleting fish stocks over the course of several years. The ministry also aims to designate some areas for fishing industry, and others for nursery grounds.