Indonesia Maritime defence and security issue

[pr1v4t33r]

Indonesia detains 4 illegal foreign fishing ships

Pontianak, W Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - A patrol boat of the Indonesian Maritime and Fishery Ministry, Hiu Macan 01, detained four ships flying the Malaysian flag last Thursday for illegally fishing in Indonesian waters.

"The motor vessels arrested are flagged Malaysian. However, 40 members of the crew are from Vietnam," Erik Tambunan, the monitoring head of fishery and maritime resources of Pontianak, said here on Monday.

The ships were catching fish in the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone without any legal permit from the Indonesian government, Tambunan stated.

The four ships are two KM Suria Timur with 105 GT (gross ton) and 90 GT, KM PAF 4457 with 85 GT and KM JHF 8918T with 70 GT.

"We are detaining the ships in the monitoring dock of Pontianak of Kubu Raya District," Tambunan disclosed.

The crew of the ships violated Indonesia's fishing regulations, he said.

Besides, they were also using forbidden fishing equipment such as trawl nets in Indonesian waters, he revealed.

The authorities will enforce the law according to the countrys regulations, Tambunan added.

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/108346/indonesia-detains-illegal-foreign-fishing-ships

 

[papacita]

Maritime security drives push for closer India-Indonesia ties

Indonesian President Joko Widodo's two-day visit to India was a key step towards re-establishing proximity between two countries concerned about growing Chinese assertiveness, said analysts.

Mr Widodo and his counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussed a range of issues and areas of collaboration, but it was maritime cooperation that was the major takeaway from the visit.

In a statement released after their Monday talks, the two countries acknowledged they "share common interests in ensuring maritime security and the safety of sea lines of communication". They also stressed the need for freedom of navigation rights and a peaceful resolution in the disputed South China Sea while committing to more naval exercises.

Analysts said maritime security in particular was emerging at the centre of this latest push to strengthen ties.

"The (Indian) government is making an effort to get closer to Indonesia and maritime cooperation is the centre point of its renewed push. India's principal threat is in the Indian Ocean from China," said former Indian foreign secretary Lalit Mansingh.

President Joko and his wife pay their respects with floral tributes at The Samadhi or cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat in New Delhi. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
"President Joko has declared Indonesia will be a maritime hub for the region and he is strengthening naval capabilities. It is a good coincidence that our Act East policy focuses on maritime cooperation."

India's Act East policy, which follows from the earlier Look East policy, is aimed at strengthening economic, political and security ties with India's East Asian neighbours.

Mr Modi has made maritime security an important feature of his foreign policy amid a growing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean, from Chinese submarines docking in Colombo to Beijing developing Gwadar Port in Pakistan.

Besides Indonesia, it has also strengthened maritime linkages with countries such as the United States and Japan, as well as other Asean countries.

Indonesia, too, has its own worries after Chinese fishing vessels started operating near the Natuna islands. Mr Joko in June went on a warship to the islands to send a message to China and reassert Indonesia's presence.

India and Indonesia have long historical ties. When former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited in 2011, he was the chief guest at India's annual Republic Day, an honour given to countries that India views as close friends. The two nations also signed business deals worth billions, but there has been little traction in ties since.

This time around, the two countries agreed to look at ways to deepen economic ties, with India pledging to encourage Indian companies in pharmaceuticals, software and skill development to venture into Indonesia.

Still, bilateral trade has dipped over the last five years from US$21.44 billion (S$31 billion) in 2011 to US$15.95 billion last year, even though Indonesia remains India's largest trading partner in Asean. Analysts said that the time is now right for Indonesia and India - both large multicultural nations and among Asia's largest economies - to pursue closer ties.

"This is the best time for India to engage again with Indonesia. There is a commonality of views on the rule of law on freedom of navigation, on fighting piracy," said Professor Srikanth Kondapalli of Jawaharlal Nehru University.

"India's Act East policy cannot be successful without Indonesia."

 

[papacita]

Indonesia and Australia are sleeping ocean superpowers

In many ways, Australia and Indonesia represent ocean superpowers. The two neighbouring countries share huge marine resources and opportunities. At the same time both face increasing challenges to their oceans and coastal regions brought about by climate change and over-exploitation.

Recently, marine scientists from Australia and Indonesia identified possible areas of collaboration for their countries to solve these challenges.

The scientists came together at the inaugural Australia Indonesia Science Symposium organised by the Australian and Indonesian scientific academies. We were conveners for the two-day discussion between the Australian and Indonesian marine experts.

The scientists highlighted at least eight potential areas of collaboration on marine science and climate change:

• Scientists from both countries believe it’s important for Australia and Indonesia to work together to understand the impact of climate change on marine resources, and to create solutions. Climate change is causing rising sea levels and surface temperatures as well as ocean acidification. These have resulted in the bleaching of corals and mortality that affect livelihoods in both countries. Both scientific communities urge their governments to do more to rapidly reduce greenhouse gases.

1. They pointed out that Australia and Indonesia should look into developing a strategy to reduce CO₂ and other emissions by maximising their coastal ecosystems and oceans as carbon sinks.
   
2. The scientists recommended the two countries explore ways to increase cooperation and knowledge sharing in new technologies for the rapid monitoring of key marine resources. Many breakthroughs in technologies, such as image recognition, neural networks and machine learning, are set to rapidly reduce the time and costs of detailed reef monitoring.
   
3. The two scientific communities also suggested the countries work together to advance the sciences to better manage migratory species such as turtles, sharks and other megafauna.
   
4. They recommended a holistic approach to developing coastal fisheries. These fisheries require the development of whole-of-system thinking, with integrated management/governance that recognises the multiple uses and activities across space and time.
   
5. They noted that development of national parks has been successful to a substantial extent in both countries. But more work must be done in both countries. Baseline datasets need to be developed in order to detect and respond to present and future impacts.
   
6. The scientists see a need for Indonesia and Australia to develop greater cooperation on research, innovation and business development. The links between science and innovation and the blue economy need to be strengthened and reinforced.
   
7. They identified a need and interest to develop a regional partnership to collaborate on problem solving in the ocean space and to develop databases that readily available to multiple cultural and language groups.

Why is this important?
Both Australia and Indonesia are heavily dependent on their extensive coastal regions and oceans for their food, income and well-being. The ocean holds enormous economic potential, which runs into billions of dollars each year.

Australia’s ocean spans over 13 million square kilometres – an area twice that of Australia’s landmass. Indonesia’s ocean stretches across almost 2 million square kilometres and the country is endowed with one of the longest coastlines of the world – almost 100,000km long!

An estimated 70% of Indonesia’s population, or around 180 million people, lives on this coastline. Similarly, 85% of Australia’s population lives within 50km of the coast.

But marine ecosystems of both countries are facing threats of over-exploitation and destruction.

Pollution from chemicals and plastics has begun to choke entire coastlines, destroying ecosystems and opportunity. At the same time, ocean ecosystems such as coral reefs, kelp forests and mangroves are disappearing at rates up to 2% per year from many coastal areas.

Most fisheries are under-performing. According to the FAO, 80% of the fish stocks are fully exploited or are collapsing. That is, we are getting much less than the sustainable yield should give us.

On top of this, ocean ecosystems and fisheries are severely threatened by climate change – through ocean warming and acidification. These impacts – from the deepest sea to our coasts – are threatening to foreclose on our future ocean wealth and opportunity.

The blue economy
The World Wildlife Fund recently estimated the asset value of the ocean to be US$24 trillion – which if it were a country would be the seventh-largest economy on the planet. This oceanic “wealth” fund delivers US$2.5 trillion in benefits to humanity each year – an economic activity associated with the marine economy that is growing three times faster than Australia’s GDP.

Increasingly, countries and businesses are turning to the ocean to generate novel industries and opportunities for food and income. Termed the “blue economy”, there is increasing focus on better using ocean resources to feed our hungry world.

By 2050 the world’s population will have added 3 billion people and will reach 9 billion. To feed those extra 3 billion people the Food and Agriculture Organisation has indicated that food production must increase by 70%.

The FAO has said that 80% of the required production increases will have to come from increases in crop yields, with only 20% coming from new farmlands.

But the stark reality is that the rate of growth in yields of the major cereal crops has been steadily declining – from about 3.2% per year in 1960 to 1.5% today. Consequently, we must find another alternative or risk ecological disaster as we turn more and more parts of the world’s crucial ecosystems into food production systems.

And it is much more than a matter of simply finding more food.

For industries, such as tourism, new fisheries, energy production and the development of new pharmaceuticals, the blue economy represents an enormous untapped potential.

Tackling the future as Marine Team Indonesia and Australia
It is critical to strike a balance between harvesting the economic potential of our ocean and safeguarding its longer-term health and well-being.

Unfortunately, despite the economic value of these opportunities, the marine resources of Australia and Indonesia are at serious risk of being degraded before we develop these opportunities.

There is a great opportunity and imperative for Australia and Indonesia to join forces to solve these critical challenges.

But to solve the problems, we need greater knowledge about our ocean wealth. We also need to build the capacity to understand and sensibly exploit these ocean resources.

All this means more people and infrastructure. We also need to promote greater regional knowledge and regional information exchange. We need to come together much more regularly to swap ideas and develop new solutions and approaches.

And if we do, then the power of our respective oceans will be unleashed for the greater good.
http://theconversation.com/indonesia-and-australia-are-sleeping-ocean-superpowers-69886

 

[katarabhumi]

Indonesia ratifies sea border agreement with Singapore
Thursday, 15 December 2016

JAKARTA: The Indonesian parliament on Thursday (Dec 15) ratified a sea border treaty with Singapore demarcating maritime boundaries in the eastern stretch of the Singapore Strait.

Deputy speaker for the House of Representatives Fahri Hamzah, who led the plenary session, officiated the decision which had the approval of majority of the lawmakers.

"We endorse the government of Indonesia to further establish cooperation to secure our economic as well as maritime benefits," said Hanafi Rais, deputy chairman from the National Mandate Party.

Mr Rais, who is also the deputy chairman of Commission I, which oversees defence and foreign affairs, added that the next step is for both countries to exchange the ratified documents.

Singapore and Indonesia signed the sea border treaty in 2014 when former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited Singapore.

The agreement defines the boundary spanning a 9.45-kilometre stretch between Changi and Batam. It is the third maritime border treaty between the two countries along the Singapore Strait.

Singapore welcomed the news of the ratification, a spokesman from the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a media statement on Thursday night.

The MFA spokesman added: "The Treaty underscores our excellent working relationship and bilateral ties, and demonstrates the ability of both countries to work together in areas of mutual interest. Singapore is prepared to exchange the instruments of ratification once Indonesia is ready to do so.”

In 1973, both countries agreed on the maritime boundary along the central part of the waterways. In 2009, an agreement on boundaries in the western section was reached.

- CNA/ec/am

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...-border-agreement-with-singapore/3370490.html
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...-border-agreement-with-singapore/3370490.html
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[katarabhumi]

Japan, Indonesia to set up maritime forum

8:36 pm, December 19, 2016

By Keita Ikeda / Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent


JAKARTA — The Japanese and Indonesian governments are set to establish on Wednesday the Japan-Indonesia Maritime Forum, in which the two countries will discuss maritime cooperation.

Under the new framework, Tokyo will support Jakarta’s efforts to protect its maritime sovereignty in the South China Sea and other areas. By deepening cooperation with Indonesia, which has strong influence over the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and through multilateral participation, Japan hopes to counter China, which has been building military strongholds in the South China Sea.

Luhut Pandjaitan, Indonesia’s coordinating minister for maritime affairs, will soon visit Japan and meet Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida to sign an agreement on the matter.

The forum will comprise meetings of relevant ministers of the two countries and working groups. In particular, Japan will likely assist the development of ports and other infrastructure projects — part of Indonesia’s national strategy — as well as the development of remote islands and the enhancement of maritime security capabilities, among others.

Indonesia is “neutral” with regard to sovereignty in the South China Sea — a stance that does not contest China’s claims in the area. However, poaching by Chinese fishing boats off the Natuna Islands on the southern edge of the South China Sea has become a serious issue.

Given the circumstances, the Indonesian government is implementing such measures as the development of a fish market to support fishermen. If Indonesian fishing boats are always operating in the area off the island, it will help protect the area. Japan will support this move as well.

Japan had competed against China in a bid for a high-speed rail project in Indonesia, but lost. China, by utilizing its abundant financial muscle, is approaching the Southeast Asian nations with economic aid. In addition to Cambodia, which is said to be pro-China, Beijing is trying to bring on its side the Philippines, with which it has a territorial dispute over the South China Sea.

Japan and the Unites States called for the cooperation of other nations in dealing with China at the ASEAN-related Summit Meeting in September, but failed to achieve tangible results. The joint statement adopted by ASEAN and China, stating that they “undertake to resolve the territorial and jurisdictional disputes ... through friendly consultations and negotiations by the sovereign states directly concerned,” served China’s cause.

Japan wants to turn the tide by bringing Indonesia on side — the country often described as the leader of ASEAN.

http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0003415406


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[katarabhumi]

Indonesia Needs to Step up Its Fight Against Maritime Piracy

Indonesia’s new maritime forum with Japan misses some critical areas of potential cooperation.

By Dedi Dinarto
December 29, 2016

Indonesia’s maritime sector gained a boost when on December 21, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan agreed to cooperate with Japan, establishing the strategic bilateral Indonesia-Japan Maritime Forum (IJMF). The two countries agreed to collaborate in the field of maritime security, maritime economy, maritime infrastructure, as well as maritime education and training, as The Jakarta Post has put it.

Seeking strategic cooperation in the maritime and industrial sectors, Luhut invited Japan to contribute to the development of fish markets in Natuna Besar and the energy sector in East Natuna. Furthermore, he hopes that Japan would be interested in constructing a strategic port in Sabang, as well as urging the Maritime Security Board to work with the Japanese on smuggling issues and cleaning up the ocean.

Though the agreement signifies strategic bilateral security cooperation between Indonesia and Japan in term of smuggling prevention, it appears to neglect a growing transnational maritime threat in Southeast Asia: maritime piracy, incidents of which have mostly occurred in Indonesian waters

Indonesia’s maritime sector gained a boost when on December 21, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan agreed to cooperate with Japan, establishing the strategic bilateral Indonesia-Japan Maritime Forum (IJMF). The two countries agreed to collaborate in the field of maritime security, maritime economy, maritime infrastructure, as well as maritime education and training, as The Jakarta Post has put it.

Seeking strategic cooperation in the maritime and industrial sectors, Luhut invited Japan to contribute to the development of fish markets in Natuna Besar and the energy sector in East Natuna. Furthermore, he hopes that Japan would be interested in constructing a strategic port in Sabang, as well as urging the Maritime Security Board to work with the Japanese on smuggling issues and cleaning up the ocean.

Though the agreement signifies strategic bilateral security cooperation between Indonesia and Japan in term of smuggling prevention, it appears to neglect a growing transnational maritime threat in Southeast Asia: maritime piracy, incidents of which have mostly occurred in Indonesian waters.

Another missing concern of Indonesia’s bilateral diplomatic engagement is the lack of success to carry out maritime diplomacy as one of the essential elements of the global maritime fulcrum doctrine. The unwillingness of the head of the Indonesian Maritime Security Board, Vice Admiral Arie Soedewo, to recognize maritime piracy as a plausible threat in Indonesian waters (or even more broadly in Southeast Asia) was reflected in the recent deal with Japan. At this point, it poses a serious question as to the Maritime Security Board’s functional role within Indonesia’s maritime security domain.

Indonesia must strengthen maritime security cooperation through active diplomacy. According to its capacity as a middle-power country, Indonesia should maximize its bargaining position at least in particular fields of interest. Indonesia should actively strengthen maritime security cooperation through bilateral and multilateral channels as a preventative measure, not only reacting when significant threats arise (as, for example, in the case of the establishment of trilateral cooperation with Malaysia and the Philippines after Abu Sayyaf’s kidnappings). Although, as the Japan deal shows, Indonesia is likely to focus more on developing the potential of maritime industries and services without any strategic measures on maritime security, both elements are prominent, and indeed inter-related.

Maritime security, as a vital part of becoming a global maritime fulcrum, should not be neglected for two crucial reasons. First, if piracy and armed attacks against ships cannot be forestalled by Indonesia’s coast guard and navy, it would potentially cause harm to the development of the maritime industry and service sectors. A lack of maritime security along the shipping lanes and ports in Indonesia would be a determinant factor for shipping companies weighing whether to involve Indonesia as a transit point.

Second, vulnerability to piracy may threaten the image of Indonesia as a maritime nation. If Indonesia is able to open up to receiving others’ contributions in the maritime industry sector, Indonesia will also need to respond to and prevent current and future maritime security challenges.

http://thediplomat.com/2016/12/indonesia-needs-to-step-up-its-fight-against-maritime-piracy/

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Indonesian Navy trains ex-pirates to grow seaweed

Fadli - The Jakarta Post
Batam | Thu, December 29, 2016 | 05:27 pm

The Indonesian Navy has provided training to 15 ex-pirates who once operated in the Malacca Strait to grow seaweed in Natuna and Anambas waters in Riau Islands province.

Navy base commander in Tanjung Pinang, Comm. S. Irawan, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that the Navy was monitoring 70 people previously arrested for piracy in the busiest maritime strait and the world, and had trained 15 of them to become seaweed farmers.

Irawan guaranteed that with the arrest of the 70 pirates, the Malacca Strait, which is also notorious for its high level of piracy, would be safe for at least the next 10 years. The Navy is also employing drones to monitor activity in the Malacca Strait.

“The 70 pirates who regularly operated in the Malacca Strait are being monitored closely by the Navy,” he said. He said the 70 had already been convicted and released but only 15 were willing to join the seaweed training.

He added that the 70 were key figures in Malacca Strait piracy. (evi)

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/29/indonesian-navy-trains-ex-pirates-to-grow-seaweed.html


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[pr1v4t33r]

Indonesia seized 163 boats in 2016 for conducting illegal fishing
Jakarta (Antara News) - A total of 163 boats were seized in 2016 for poaching fish in various regions of Indonesia.

"The number of boats seized increases every year," Sjarief Widjaja, the acting director of fishery and marine resource supervision of the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, stated here on Friday.

He said that in 2016, his office had deployed 35 ships to supervise the fishing areas and had conducted a check on a total of 3,783 fishing boats, thereby leading to the seizure of 163 vessels.

The figure was higher than 108 recorded in 2015 and 38 in 2014, he revealed.

The 163 boats were taken into custody based on strong evidence that they had conducted illegal fishing. Of the total, 140 were foreign boats and 23 were domestic vessels.

The largest number of boats seized was from Vietnam, reaching 83; followed by the Philippines, totaling 29; and Malaysia, 26.

Widjaja remarked that his office had also interrogated 1,661 crew members of fishing boats, of which 235 were named as suspects.

Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Susi Pudjiastuti affirmed that she would continue to prioritize efforts to crack down on illegal fishing activities by boosting sea security in 2017.

"The KKP (the ministry of fisheries and maritime affairs) will continue to focus on law enforcement and sea security," the minister said in a written statement received here on Thursday.

Pudjiastuti noted that the program would be prioritized and implemented in cooperation with the Task Force 115.

The minister remarked that the program was in line with the governments vision to make the sea as the nations future resource.

"(We) will continue operations to eradicate illegal fishing by sinking boats found involved in the practice, but now, we would not reveal it to the media. I think the efforts, so far, have been adequate to offer a deterrent effect," she added.

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1...-boats-in-2016-for-conducting-illegal-fishing

 

[papacita]

Vietnam to sign MoU on sea and fishery cooperation with Indonesia

The Government has issued a resolution on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on sea and fishery cooperation with Indonesia.
Under the resolution, the Government approves the content of the MoU between the two governments on sea and fishery cooperation.

The Government assigns leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to sign the MoU on behalf of the Government.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will be the main agency to implement the MoU in coordination with relevant agencies, the resolution said.

VNA
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/go...a-and-fishery-cooperation-with-indonesia.html

 

[pr1v4t33r]

Indonesia to release 165 Vietnamese fishermen
Indonesia handed over 70 fishermen to Vietnam on Tuesday at Soekarno Hatta International Airport, the Vietnam News Agency reported. Most of the fishermen had been detained for 3-4 months on Batam Island for illegally fishing in Indonesian waters.

Vietnam’s Embassy in Indonesia said that from now until the Lunar New Year, the neighboring country will release another 165 fishermen and send them home by air.

With airline tickets from Indonesia to Vietnam are selling out fast, the fishermen will be split into four groups with the last group arriving home on January 25.

It’s estimated that around 200 Vietnamese fishermen will remain captive in Indonesia.

Last year, Indonesia arrested nearly 1,100 illegal fishermen from Vietnam, rising steeply from 700 in 2015.

Colonel Tran Van Nam from Vietnam’s Coast Guard explained that many fishermen are unaware of international maritime laws or the boundaries of Vietnam’s waters, so they unwittingly stray into foreign fishing zones. In addition, loose management and weak penalties exacerbate the problem.

To prevent illegal fishing, the country’s Fisheries Resources Surveillance Department is trying to raise awareness about maritime boundaries and international maritime laws, and conducts frequent patrols to prevent potential violations.

http://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/in...-fishermen-before-lunar-new-year-3530191.html

 

[katarabhumi]

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Indonesia Has So Many Islands You Can Now Name One After Yourself
By Lauren Steele

What do you get for the person who has everything? How about the namesake of a Southeast Asian island? The Indonesian government took a tally of their islands and as of this week, the official total count has jumped from 13,446 to 14,572. CIA numbers estimate that the archipelago is actually made up of more than 17,500 islands total.

Yes, that’s a lot of islands. And as it turns out, 6,000 of these islands are uninhabited, and a good portion of them don’t even have a name. That’s where you (or a bunch of affluent investors and narcissists) come in.

According to Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, the government is going to try to profit from these remote and nondescript scraps of land in the ocean by allowing foreigners or entities to manage them and even give them the right to name them. Out of the 6,000 uninhabited islands in the archipelago, nearly 4,000 have the potential to become tourist destinations — so one day you could be hosting travelers on an island bearing the name of your choice.

There is one catch: just because you get to name the island doesn’t mean that the island is yours. The Indonesian government is not selling the land, but simply selling the rights to name it. This means that you could pay to name the island anything you like, but the island and everything on it still belong to Indonesia.

http://www.mensjournal.com/travel/a...s-you-can-now-name-one-after-yourself-w461941

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'Name your own island,' Indonesia tells investors

Investors willing to commit funds to developing some of Indonesia's more remote islands, thousands of which are still officially unnamed, will soon be able to leave their mark on the map ... literally.

"We would offer them the right to name the island, but they would not be able to name it as they wish," Ridwan Djamaluddin, a deputy minister for infrastructure at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs, told Asia Focus.

"It would still have to go through a process of approval and be in accordance with the related Home Affairs Ministry regulation.

"This is just one of the many ways in our strategy to lure investors here. This could be an incentive for them," he added.

The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, told a news conference on Jan 9 that the country still had 4,000 islands with no names. The Indonesian archipelago has 17,508 islands and stretches roughly 5,000 kilometres from west to east across the equator, with a total land area of 1.9 million square kilometres.

Should there be any foreign investors interested in turning an island into a tourism destination, Mr Luhut said they would be allowed to name the island. A Japanese investor, for example, could name an island Yokohama, but it would still be under Indonesian sovereignty, he stressed.

Turning some islands into tourist destinations, he said, would be a quick way to create job opportunities for local residents, stimulate the economy and increase tax revenues.

Data from the Investment Coordinating Board showed that in 2014, total investment in tourism was US$684.9 million, out of which $511.8 million was foreign investment. The tourism ministry has set a target for the sector to contribute 9.2% to gross domestic product (GDP) by 2019, compared with about 4% in 2014. The goal is to attract 20 million foreign tourist arrivals and generate $20 billion in revenue compared with $10.7 billion in 2014.

Damos Dumoli Agusman, the secretary of the directorate-general for legal affairs and international treaties at the Foreign Ministry, said that approval of any foreign investment to manage small islands and their surrounding waters should place a priority on the national interest, in accordance with the 2014 law on coastal areas and small island management.

"In order to gain a permit to manage the island, the investor must ensure among other things that that the island is uninhabited, ensure public access to the island, and [operate] in cooperation with an Indonesian partner," he told Asia Focus.

Mr Ridwan said Japanese investors had already expressed interest in at least three islands, though they are named already: Morotai in North Maluku which borders on the Philippines; the Natuna Islands in the northern maritime frontier area bordering the South China Sea; and Sabang in Aceh.

"We offer them the historical ties that Japan has with Morotai and by plane, it's only a four-and-a-half-hour flight from Japan," he said.

Morotai was a battleground when Japan fought the Allied forces during World War II, which ended with Japan's surrender in September 1945. A Japanese soldier hid for 30 years in the island's jungles until he was found in 1974.

Arista Atmadjati, a tourism lecturer at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta, said there was potential for Indonesia to develop its uninhabited, remote or outermost islands into tourist destination aimings at a niche market.

"It would be no problem for tourists in this market to visit far-flung islands. There are already islands in Indonesia that serve such purposes and they are very well known among a very segmented group of foreign vacationers," he said.

He said that promoting Morotai, with its historical connection to Japan, was a good example of a way to distribute foreign tourist arrivals away from major destinations such as Bali, Yogyakarta or Lombok to other parts of the vast archipelago.

But he is not in favour of giving foreign investors the right to name an island. "It's not as if we have run out of ideas to name our own islands. It should not be a difficult task for us to come up with our own names," he said.

Maritime activist Armand Manila, meanwhile, sees a broader threat to the country's maritime identity beyond the mere matter of names.

"Privatisation or commercialisation of coastal areas could sink local residents into structural impoverishment," said Mr Manila, who is the acting secretary-general of the People's Coalition for Equal Fisheries (Kiara), a grouping of environmental and social groups.

He said local residents had the traditional rights to passage in the waters off an island, to fish in its surrounding maritime area, access to clean water, and to benefit from the environment's natural resources.

"They could lose these rights due the commercialisation and privatisation of an island," he said. "There are already examples of local people being barred from fishing in their traditional fishing grounds because they lie within 1.5 kilometres of the coastline of a privately managed island.

"They are being evicted from their source of livelihood because they are considered to have the potential to destroy the maritime environment which serves as the island's tourism attraction."


http://www.bangkokpost.com/business...ame-your-own-island-indonesia-tells-investors

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Hey Pak Luhut, I want to name an island too >> Katarawaii ...


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[Nike]

@katarabhumi

i want to name one as Supilliuma

 

[katarabhumi]

Indonesia to Double GDP Contribution From Maritime Sector in Next Decade
JakartaGlobe - 24/2/2017

Nusa Dua, Bali. Indonesia expects contribution from economic activities in its oceans to double in the next decade, setting an ambitious goal that reflects the country's concerted effort to clean up its oceans, develop sustainable fisheries, explore deep sea mining and establish world class tourist destinations.

"In the next decade, economic activities on our oceans, like offshore [oil and gas drilling], tourism or fisheries could contribute up to 25 percent of our GDP, from just 11 percent today," Vice President Jusuf Kalla said on Thursday (23/02). He was speaking in one of the forums at the World Ocean Summit in Bali, which gathers global chief executives, government officials and non-government organizations from 44 countries to discuss global maritime issues.

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago, has liberalized investment on its fisheries sector to attract foreign investment, particularly to help process fishes for export.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan said the government is pinning its hope on the fisheries industry to accelerate production in the next decade. "We produce less than 10 percent of our full fishery potential every year. There's an enormous room for growth there," Luhut told reporters at the summit.

The fishery sector contributes about 8 percent of Indonesia's $930 billion gross domestic product last year and it was also one of the fastest growing sector in the economy. The country's export target this year is $5 billion worth of fish and other sea catch, up 19 percent from $4.2 billion last year.

Luhut said Indonesia is on the right track to increase its fishery production, which started with a crackdown on illegal and unregulated fishing led by Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti.

It also launched a $1 billion initiative on Wednesday to clean up its seas from plastic waste, which kills fish and destroys tourism, even in remote areas.

The government is seeking $20 billion in investment to develop ten priority tourist destinations across the archipelago — of which seven will rely on maritime tourism — over the next few years to help attract 20 million tourists by 2019.

"The tourism sector is a low hanging fruit to grow our economy and creates jobs. Results have been apparent since we open direct [flights] to favorite destinations," Luhut said.

Indonesia attracted 11.5 million foreign tourists last year, up 10 percent from 10 million in 2015.

The country also launched an initiative to map its vast sea floor to find more deep sea mining resources as well as pushed for more exploration of offshore oil and gas.

"On the oil and gas sector, we have to look for the right balance. Everywhere in the world, companies are coming up with an electric car. That could make oil and gas investment less lucrative," he said.

"We should not let our other [minerals] resources lie untouched on our sea bed. We should look into them more," he added.

Across the country, the government has been building new ports and launching subsidized sea vessels to ensure seamless distribution of goods between industrial center Java and natural resource-rich islands in eastern parts of Indonesia.

The minister said the Indonesian government can only come up with 25 percent of the total investment needed to boost the country's fishery, energy, transport and tourism industries. "We need the rest from the private sector and we are more than willing to give them incentives to come here," Luhut said.

http://jakartaglobe.id/economy/indonesia-double-gdp-contribution-maritime-sector-next-decade/

+++

Indonesia urges ASEAN countries to improve maritime security
21st February 2017

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEANs) members to improve security in the regions waters during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) Retreat in Boracay, the Philippines, on Feb 20-21.

"Every country has the main responsibility of securing its waters. Hence, Indonesia calls on the ASEAN countries to take steps to improve maritime security, especially in the Sulu Sea, Sabah waters, and the surrounding areas," Minister Marsudi stated during her visit to the Philippines, as quoted by a release on Tuesday.

The two maritime areas are prone to crimes at sea, since within the last two years, several Indonesian citizens had become victims of kidnapping in those waters, Minister Marsudi remarked.

Hence, Indonesia has taken several initiatives to help improve maritime security in the ASEAN waters through coordinated patrols, she noted.

Indonesia and the Philippines will also launch a roll-on/roll-off route serving Bitung in North Sulawesi and General Santos and Davao of the Philippines. The sea route is expected to improve connectivity and economic integration in the ASEAN region.

The AMM Retreat is the first foreign ministerial meeting of the ASEAN under the chairmanship of the Philippines in 2017.

The Philippines has set six priorities for the ASEAN during its chairmanship: People-Oriented, People Centered ASEAN; Peace and Stability in the Region; Maritime Security and Cooperation; Inclusive, Innovation-led Growth; ASEANs Resiliency; and ASEAN: A Model of Regionalism, A Global Player.

During the meeting, Minister Marsudi addressed several issues, such as the follow-up of the 28th and 29th ASEAN summits, the Philippines priorities in 2017, external relations of the ASEAN, and several regional and international issues.

Indonesia also highlighted the importance of ASEAN member countries to deliver concrete results to society.

The ASEAN should also strengthen its unity and centrality in facing regional and global challenges.

Several issues to be put forth by Indonesia are maritime security, counterterrorism, ASEAN economic cooperation, and protection of migrant workers, among others.

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1...-asean-countries-to-improve-maritime-security
http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1...-asean-countries-to-improve-maritime-security
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[katarabhumi]

Indonesia‘s Outermost Island Secured to Prevent Foreign Occupation
Sunday, 12 March 2017

JAKARTA, NETRALNEWS.COM - The Indonesian government has recently decreed 111 isles as the country's outermost isles to prevent possible foreign occupation, minister of fisheries and maritime affairs Susi Pudjiastuti said.

"The registration of ownership of the isles is to prevent occupation or ownership claims by foreign citizens," she said in a press statement received here on Saturday.

The government recently issued Presidential Decision Number 6, 2017 to register the country's outermost isles from foreign occupation. Susi stated that the presidential decision was issued to minimize problems that often disrupt national security, such as sales of land to foreign parties and private ownership of isles by Indonesian or foreign nationals.

She noted that using the regulation she could now monitor the isles for possible illegal activities, such as narcotic smuggling and slavery in the fishery sector, as well as illegal fishing.

The exploitation of resources in the isles could also be optimized to add income to the state, she added. Susi has so far underlined the importance of sustainability in the fishery industry with regard to preserving fishery resources in the country's waters.

She noted that industrial growth must be developed by paying close attention to sustainability of the industry and its resources. Indonesia has proposed accountability to various countries with regard to eradicating illegal fishing, she underlined, adding that several countries still continued to fish in the waters outside their territories.

http://www.en.netralnews.com/news/c....island.secured.to.prevent.foreign.occupation

 

[NEKONEKO]

Indonesia seeks justice after cruise ship ‘irreparably’ damages world’s richest coral reef

Indonesia has begun investigating whether the captain of a cruise ship and the UK owner violated its laws after the ship crashed into its coral reef, known as one of the most biodiverse in the world.


Indonesia says it wants to take action after Captain Keith Michael Taylor smashed the Caledonian Sky cruise ship into a pristine coral reef then dragged across it at Raja Ampat in Indonesia's West Papua province last week.
Conservation International Indonesia, Papua University and West Papua's Regional Technical Implementing Unit said their initial evaluation of the damage caused by the ship, run by UK-tour operator Noble Caledonian, spread across 14,000 square metres.
In a statement this week, the Indonesian Maritime Affairs Ministry spokesperson said the destruction to the largely untouched Raja Ampat - known to be the most biodiverse in the world, according WWF - was "impossible to repair".
On March 4, the Caledonian Sky cruise ship carrying 102 tourists ran aground on coral reef surrounding Raja Ampat archipelago, comprising around 1,000 islands, northwest of Indonesia's West Papua province.
Captain Taylor manoeuvred the ship back to deeper waters using GPS but did not consider the low tide, according to the Maritime Affairs Ministry.
The ministry spokesperson lamented that "coral reefs which have been growing for hundreds of years were marred by the captain of MV Caledonian Sky in less than a day".
"Worse, the coral reefs damaged by the captain of Caledonian Sky was located right in the heart of Raja Ampat, the centre of marine biodiversity."
They added it was "impossible to repair parts of the reefs that have been damaged or destroyed".
Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan told media at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday that the government this week commenced a joint task force, including his ministry, the Environment and Forestry Ministry, the Transportation Ministry, the Attorney General and the National Police to investigate the incident.
The task force will assess the environmental damage and whether the captain and Noble Caledonia breached Indonesian laws.
The Maritime Ministry spokesperson said while Noble Caledonian's insurance companies said they would pay for the damage to the environment, "that does not eliminate the criminal aspect of the case".
Under Indonesia's 2009 Environment and Protection Management Law, damaging natural resources, such as coral reefs, is an offence that carries the possibility of imprisonment.
The Transportation Ministry is determining whether the ship had permission to enter shallow waters and whether the ship was equipped to measure water depth.
Conservation International Indonesia program manager Albert Nebore said, as quoted by Indonesia's daily The Jakarta Post, the cruise ship reportedly entered the area without consulting local guides.
"The skipper forced the ship to enter the area, which was not open to cruise ships," he said.
SBS has contacted Conservation International Indonesia and the Indonesian government to ask the cost of the damage to Raja Ampat, as well as tour operator Noble Caledonia for comment.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/...ruise-ship-irreparably-damages-worlds-richest

 

[NEKONEKO]

Indonesia seizes two boats off Aceh for illegal fishing

An Acehnese man transporting fish at Lampulo port in Banda Aceh. Two vessels were detained by the Indonesian navy on Sunday for alleged illegal fishing in Indonesian waters off Aceh province.PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

KUALA LUMPUR • The Indonesian navy has detained two vessels that flew the Malaysian flag, for allegedly fishing illegally in Indonesian waters off its Aceh province.
A spokesman for the Indonesian naval base Lantamal I in Belawan town in North Sumatra, Major Sahala Sinaga, said 10 crew members from Myanmar were detained in the Sunday incident, in the Strait of Malacca.
He added that a navy patrol boat approached the two vessels - KHF 1785 and FKPB 1781 - in different locations after they had entered Indonesian waters.
The vessels were using trawl nets to fish, he noted.
"Both vessels were caught when fishing near Aceh Tamiang," said Mr Sahala, adding that the boats were caught by the Western Fleet Quick Response Team on Lantamal I.
Indonesia, in recent years, has strictly enforced its maritime borders against illegal fishing, saying this has in turn boosted fish stocks for its fishermen. Jakarta has blown up more than 220 foreign boats caught fishing in its waters since the end of of 2014.
Mr Sahala claimed that the two vessels were carrying drugs that were thrown overboard before the boats were boarded by the Indonesian navy. "We suspect that the drugs were thrown into the water, considering that the route they were using is a known entry point for drug smuggling," he added.

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/indonesia-seizes-two-boats-off-aceh-for-illegal-fishing

Indonesia to Sink 70 Illegal Foreign Fishing Boats in April

Illegal fishing vessel Viking, which was seized by Indonesia’s Navy is anchored next to Indonesian navy ship KRI Sutanto before its sinking on the waters off Pangandaran, West Java, Indonesia, Monday, March 14, 2016. The navy seized the Nigeria-flagged Viking on Feb. 25 operating in waters off Tanjung Berakit in Riau Islands province south of Singapore. It was one of the half dozen ships dubbed the "Bandit 6" by the nonprofit Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which hunted the boats and was among those who alerted Indonesian officials when the Viking entered the country's waters. AP/Andi Jatmiko

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Navy’s Deputy Chief of Staff Admiral Achmad Taufiqoerrochman stated that they have detained 70 illegal fishing boats that are ready to be sunk in April 2017. The schedule was originally set for March but was delayed.
“Considering the State’s dense schedule, [such as] the IORA Conference and King Salman’s visit. We will do it in April,” Taufiq said on Thursday, March 16, 2017.
According to Taufiq, the number of illegal fishing boats that is set to be sunk will increase. This is due to the Indonesian Navy in the western region had just captured a foreign illegal fishing boat a few days ago. “It will increase and that number is for this year alone.”
Taufiq revealed that the legal status of the 70 boats is final. The size of the boats is various from a 70 GT (gross tonnage) to 120 GT. “The large ones will be made into monuments.”
Asked upon how many illegal fishing boats that will be turned into monuments, Taufiq explained that it will not be in a large number, just enough to represent the message.
The boats will be drowned in the spots where they were captured, he added. “They will be drowned in Indonesia’s Western region and Eastern parts too.”

https://en.tempo.co/read/news/2017/...ink-70-Illegal-Foreign-Fishing-Boats-in-April

Delayed just because King Salman visit, Seems that they want to make this blowing ceremony get many attentions,
yeah make it big

Crackdown on Illegal Fishing to Have Long-Term Benefits: Study

Nusa Dua, Bali. Indonesia's recent effort at reforming its fishing business and implementing sustainable investment principles in the industry will lead to a long-term increase in catch and profit for the domestic fishing industry, the preliminary result of an ongoing study by research think-tank Sustainable Fisheries Group at the University of California Santa Barbara showed.
"Over-exploitation and IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) fishing are major concerns for the future of Indonesia's fishing industry, threatening the livelihood of 20 million Indonesians who rely on fishing. However, management reform will considerably increase catch and profit relative to what they are now," the group wrote in a short report to the Ministry, made available to the press on Wednesday (23/02).
The study, conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in the past two years, showed that reform and investment will lead to a profit $3.7 billion higher by 2050 than if the government decides to do nothing.
The amount of fish in Indonesia's oceans, or "fish biomass," will more than triple, allowing Indonesian fishermen to double their catch in the best case scenario.
In the worst case scenario, Indonesia ramps up investment without pursuing reform. This will lead to a steep profit increase that peaks at around $6 billion in 2022, before an inevitable deterioration in the fish biomass.
"This [study] shows that an environmental policy, even if it's a good one, will only result in an increase of [fish] population," Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti said.
The minister said other countries should join Indonesia's fight against illegal fishing to complement their pro-environment policies.
Indonesia had already banned trawl fishing in 2014 and imposed a size limit for crab catch. Susi also headed a joint force on illegal fishing that has caught and drowned hundreds of illegal fishing boats from neighboring China, Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines and Malaysia.
The University of California study showed the crackdown has already succeeded.
A study of Indonesia's skip jack tuna population showed fewer illegal fishing and investment on small-scale local fleet have reduced skip jack fishing by 25 percent.
But in the long term, these government-led moves will lead to 25 percent more skip jack catch and 22 percent more profit by 2035.
Another assessment on blue swimmer crabs' population said the trawl ban and catch size limit of 100 mm carapace width can increase trap fishers' profit by 14 percent in 20 years.

http://jakartaglobe.id/business/crackdown-illegal-fishing-long-term-benefits-study/
Nice