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Ministry criticized over `fancy' boats for reefs

Wednesday, 03 February 2010

Fri, 01/29/2010 2:33 PM | National

JAKARTA: The Fishery and Maritime Affairs Ministry has come under criticism for its recent decision to purchase what activists see as unnecessarily expensive boats.
The French-built boat, which will be used to monitor coral reef conditions, reportedly cost Rp 14.3 billion.

"This is just another waste of money. Ministry officials could actually use similar boats that are significantly cheaper to monitor coral reefs," Riza Damanik of the People's Coalition for Fair Fishery was quoted as saying Thursday by news portal detik.com.
He said local boats with similar specifications cost between Rp 20 million to Rp 40 million.

Apart from the boat, he added, President Susilo Bambang Yudho-yono's administration had neglected the country's fishermen. For example, he said, fishermen received only a 25 percent share of the entire profits from fishing activities throughout the country.
"We need immediate and effective efforts to uphold justice for fishermen," Riza said. - JP

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