The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, through its Coastal and Marine Resources Management Center (BPSPL) in Denpasar, released 21,000 lobster seeds that were previously seized in the conservation area of Bangsring waters in Banyuwangi, East Java, at the beginning of May.
Director-General for Marine Resources and Fisheries Supervision, Tb Haeru Rahayu, in a statement received here, Sunday, said that the lobster seeds were seized in a bust of attempted smuggling thwarted by officers.
The plan for illegal lobster seeds export was revealed by an initial tip obtained by officers, after which a joint operation carried out an investigation and caught the perpetrators.
Director-General Rahayu explained that the Ministry continues to disseminate information in order to avert similar incidents of illegal lobster seed exports.
“Lobster seeds can be cultivated and grown in the country, and the retail price will grow higher, therefore boosting the economy for the people, fishermen, and cultivators,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Coastal and Marine Resources Management Center (BPSPL) in Denpasar Permana Yudiarso added that the release of lobster seeds should be carried out in a conservation area that is well-maintained.
He explained that the lobster seeds were released in the conservation area in Banyuwangi as they were found in the area.
The seeds were set to be illegally sent to Vietnam, as revealed by the investigation, and the scheme was set to cause losses of 1.5 billion rupiahs.
The Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, reiterated that it is illegal to export lobster seeds. Under the Minister’s leadership, the Ministry is determined to strengthen national lobster cultivation and exports, once the lobsters reach the appropriate size for consumption.
