Traditional Fishermen in the Middle
The fate of fishermen in this country is still far from prosperous . Even fishermen, especially traditional fishermen, are increasingly threatened because their living space is increasingly pressured, and even disappears due to various coastal and marine exploitation.
Wahyu Eka Setyawan, Executive Director of Walhi East Java , said that the exploitation of the extractive sector coincides with the lack of protection for traditional fishermen, specifically the establishment of fishing zones for traditional fishermen and essential ecosystem zones for coastal and small islands. This condition is strengthened by increasingly dense plots of extractive industries such as oil and gas and other minerals such as sea sand.
On National Fishermen's Day in Maluku, a young fisherman, Abdul Kadir Zailani Angkotasan , rowed 15 miles in the waters of the Banda Sea . It is a protest against the government's policy on measurable fishing.
Kamal Kumkelo , the coordinator of the appraisal action , said the fishing policy was measured as a systematic effort by the government to seize the rights of small fishermen who depend on sea products. This rule is more profitable for foreign investors and large corporations.
Every April 6, since 1961, has been celebrated as National Fisherman's Day. Even though there has been a special commemoration day, the fate of fishermen in this country is still far from prosperous. Even fishermen, especially traditional fishermen, are increasingly threatened because their living space is increasingly pressured, and even disappears due to various coastal and marine exploitation.
On the island of Madura, for example, on the coast there are many large-scale ponds owned by investors. In Halmahera, North Maluku, many traditional fishermen have lost their livelihood because it is difficult to catch fish. Polluted sea water, turning brown or orange due to nickel exploitation.
Wahyu Eka Setyawan, Executive Director of Walhi East Java, said that exploitation from the extractive sector coincides with the lack of protection for traditional fishermen. He gave an example, such as in Madura, along the northern coast, the Masalembu, Kangean and Bawean Islands.
This condition is strengthened by the denser plots of oil and gas extractive industries as well as other minerals such as sea sand.
The presence of Law No. 6/2023 which stipulates the Job Creation Perppu, increasingly threatens the future of coastal, marine and small island ecosystems. Under the regulation, said Wahyu, the core marine conservation zone can be changed and exploited, specifically for the benefit of the national strategic project (PSN).
Apart from that, he said, the threat to coastal areas has also increased due to the easing of oil and gas permits.
This, he said, was part of a fake solution, instead of an energy transition, instead developing gas exploitation for fossil energy needs.
Apart from that, there have been many conversions of coastal functions to other uses, such as sea sand and iron sand mining, to the expansion of ponds, which have also affected coastal areas.
Not only that, the massive change of function of the coast in Madura has reduced fishermen's income, which has pushed them to change jobs.
With these various kinds of exploitation, he said, the carrying capacity and carrying capacity of the coast and sea has decreased, damage to mangroves to coral reefs has occurred, pollution and much more. In fact, he said, the coast and sea are important assets to fight climate change.
Policy patterns and regulations that facilitate extractive industries and massive exploitation, he said, are worried that the maritime sector will be even more miserable.
Walhi East Java encourages the central government and the Government of East Java and districts along the coast to make realistic policies by emphasizing efforts to protect and restore coastal areas and small islands.
"The government will immediately stop issuing new permits and evaluate permits for extractive industries and industries that pollute and change the coastal topography," he said.
Apart from that, it is also important to immediately establish protected zones for essential ecosystem areas of coasts and small islands, as well as establish fishing zones for traditional fishermen.
From East Java, on Fishermen's Day, they voiced the threat to the coast and the sea due to the increasingly massive large-scale exploitation that threatens the lives of fishermen. From Maluku, fishermen protested against the measurable fisheries regulations.
On April 6, a young fisherman, Abdul Kadir Zailani Angkotasan, rowed 15 miles in the waters of the Banda Sea as an act of protest against the government's policy on metered fishing.
Kamal Kumkelo, the coordinator of the action, said that this action was a protest against the issuance of PP 11/2023 concerning Measurable Catching of Fish.
The young fisherman rowed across the border area as a form of resistance to the haphazard policies issued by the government without considering the condition of small fishermen. In that rule, the fishing area for traditional fishermen is only 12 miles away
“Why did we row 15 miles? Because according to the rules, fishermen are only limited to 12 miles out to sea.”
Abdul Kadir represents the voice of fishermen whose rights have the potential to be suppressed by government regulations. He rowed 15 miles and unfurled a poster against the metered fishing policy.
In Kamal's opinion, the measured fishing policy is a systematic effort by the government to take away the rights of small fishermen who depend on sea products. This rule is more profitable for foreign investors and large corporations.
Small fishing nets will lose to the nets from large-scale fishing vessels," said Kamal.
The Jala Ina Foundation also rejects Government Regulation Number 11/2023 concerning Measured Fishing because it deprives small fishermen and traditional fishermen of their rights. Jala Ina also insisted that the rule be cancelled.
"Urgent the government to make a national fish resources management policy that is oriented towards the interests of traditional fishermen and small fishermen."