Illustrative image (File photo)Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesia will start exporting babylobsters after a previous ban aimed at conserving the wild population of thecrustacean was lifted by the fisheries ministry.
Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia EdhyPrabowo on May 4 signed a decree allowingthe resumption of exports of non-pigmented post-larval lobsters of the genus Puerulus (commonlyknown as whip lobsters) and of baby lobsters of the genus Panulirus.
The fisheries ministry has issued new requirements to regulate exports, including settingan annual quota and limiting the sites from where the lobsters can beharvested bysmall-scale and traditional fishermen using “passive” gear. Juvenile lobstersthat are either spawning or smaller than 8 centimeters (3 inches) or weigh lessthan 200 grams (7 ounces) may not be exported.
In addition, baby lobsters must be shipped by air under strict supervision and quarantine.The export must be based on the volume of wild lobsters caught. Baby lobster exportswill be subject to export and revenue taxes. The value of baby lobsters will bedetermined by relevant ministries.
According to EdhyPrabowo, the lifting of the baby lobster export ban aims to maintain thesustainability of the national aquatic resources, increase the welfare of thecommunity and encourage businesses to participate in technology investment cooperationin breeding baby lobsters for export. Especially, the government will manageand earn foreign currencies.
Edhy’s predecessor, Susi Pudjiastuti, had imposed the export banin 2016 in an effort to replenish Indonesia’s lobster stocks./.
VNA
