“Indonesia right now is the second biggest aquaculture producers (after China). Vietnam is an ideal country to boast seafood industry, including both aquaculture and open ocean fishing. However, Indonesia and Vietnam share the same challenges such as environment, food safety, and traceability, etc. Thus, I think it is time for us to work closely and hand in hand on fisheries cooperation”, H.E. Ibnu Hadi, Ambassador of Indonesia in Vietnam said.
Recently, aquaculture development in Indonesia has been accelerated and is now considered as an important economic sector of the country. Could you share more about this?
As a maritime country, Indonesia has considerable potential in the development of its fisheries resources. Two of the main strategies are to support the aquaculture sub-sector to develop and to contribute significantly to the Indonesian economy; also for it to be as one reliable source of food production in Indonesia.
Indonesia is currently having 4 (four) aquaculture development programs: seeds development, aqua feed and fish drugs, aquaculture area and fish health development and aquaculture production and business.
Current potential in our aquaculture sector reaches 17,9 million ha, with utilization only at 9%. The potential economic value of aquaculture reaches US$ 250 billion/year. Indonesia right now is the second biggest aquaculture producers (after China) which contribute 15% to the total world fish production (FAO, 2018)
What are the potentials and challenges that Indonesia’s aquaculture industry has cope with currently?
Aquaculture production in Indonesia increases by 19,20% per year and the share of aquaculture in 2018 reached 57,14% of total National Fisheries GDP. Several aquaculture challenges in Indonesia are environmental issue, increased fish demand from the national, regional and global level, fish feed which cost 60 – 70% of production, over carrying capacity, declining broodstock quality of fish genetic seed, food safety, and traceability, climate change and product competitiveness in the region.
How do you evaluate the Vietnam aquaculture industry?
With its coastline of 3,260 kilometers, Vietnam is an ideal country to boast seafood industry, including both aquaculture and open ocean fishing. This abundant natural resource coupled with strong support from the Vietnamese government will create good and stable seafood products in Vietnam. However, Indonesia and Vietnam share the same challenges such as environment, food safety, and traceability, etc. Thus, I think it is time for us to work closely and hand in hand on fisheries cooperation.
How is the situation of exporting Vietnam’s seafood products to Indonesia now sir?
In the first semester of 2019, I note that tuna, pangasius, and shrimp increased significantly, especially tuna and shrimp with 128% and 164% respectively.
According to you, how are the prospects of Indonesia and Vietnam aquaculture cooperation in the future?
The fishery is among those of the 12-priority sector between Indonesia and Vietnam. In 2018, fishery trade value between the two countries reached US$ 9,6 million – an increase of 82% from the same period of 2017 (US$ 3,8 million). We have great potential. Indonesia and Vietnam should work more to develop joint ventures between two countries, especially on aquaculture.
Thank you so much!
VFM
