October 30, 2009

Shrimp producers and academics from the Indonesian Aquaculture Community (MAI) protested on Wednesday (Oct 28) on the government's policy of importing shrimp.

At a press conference, more than 250 participants from regions across Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Java denounced the impact the imports were having on the local shrimping industry.

MAI secretary-general Agung Sudaryono said the import policy would "devastate" the local industry and render futile the myriad research and development into shrimp.

Sudaryono added Indonesia was rich in natural resources, possessed the right technology and skilled human resources in the shrimp business, and was currently one of the biggest shrimp producers in the world.

He said imports can also pave the way for diseases to enter the country and affect shrimp prices in the domestic and international markets.

He added that other threats to the local shrimping industry included the use of toxic chemicals such as melamine and bacteria-inhibiting agents such as nitrofuran.

He said that this will eventually discourage consumers in Europe and the US from buying Indonesian shrimp and further impact on producers.

Indonesia's shrimp production has increased from 300,000 tonnes in 2008 year to 400,000 tonnes this year.

Lampung shrimper Agus said it would be better if the government focused more on developing shrimp farms than rolling out "controversial policies" such as shrimp imports.

Agus added the government should also help shrimp producers get easier access to loans, pointing out banks were reluctant to lend because the business was considered risky.