November 19, 2012

 

 

Indonesia's ministry of maritime affairs and fisheries plans to postpone the implementation of moratorium on Napoleon fish exports.

 

"That's the plan, but it has not been implemented yet," said the ministry's Secretary General, Gellwyn Jusuf, on Wednesday (Nov 14).

 

Before stopping the exports, the government will find out about the export quota and the Napoleon fish distribution in Indonesia, he said. The Napoleon fish (humphead wrasse) has been listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

 

"The Napoleon fish is under strict protection," he said.

 

Since the fish is endangered, it should not be treated as a commercial commodity, he stated. A Napoleon fish is sold for around IDR1 million (US$104).

 

According to the Deputy District Head of Anambas, Abdul Haris, fishermen in the Anambas District of Riau Islands Province export 300 tonnes of Napoleon fish worth IDR3 billion (US$312) every month.

 

Most of the fish caught in the waters of Anambas, up to the waters of South China Sea, are exported to Hong Kong. Local farmers depend on the traditional cultivation of Napoleon fish, he said. There are more than 100 farms which cultivate Napoleon fish in the district.

 

Regarding the government's plan to impose moratorium on the Napoleon fish exports, the district head expressed hope that the government will make an exception for the fishermen in Anambas.

 

"We hope there is an exception for Anambas, so that exports will not be stopped," he said, since fish exports act as the main source of income for the local fishermen.

 

"Regulation and supervision are required to preserve the Napoleon fish," he said, stating that local farmers are aware that the fish is endangered and they know how to preserve the Napoleon fish.

 

"We also have the local wisdom in preserving and protecting the Napoleon fish," he said.