Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is designing an appropriate assistance program for fishermen affected by the 30.16 kilometer sea fence in the waters of Tangerang Regency, Banten.
Special Staff to the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Doni Ismanto Darwin in Jakarta, Tuesday, said that currently his party is going into the field to hold a dialogue with fishermen affected by the existence of the unauthorized sea fence.
He said that the KKP team went directly to the field to hold dialogue with fishermen in each affected village to listen to their complaints.
"The results of this dialogue will be the basis for us to design an appropriate aid program as soon as possible," he said.
In addition, he said that currently the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries together with all maritime agencies are working hard to dismantle the sea fence that stretches along the Tangerang coastline.
He said the demolition was prioritized to open up a route for fishermen so they could go back to sea.
"The main complaint is that the existence of the fence reduces fishermen's catch because they have to go around the bamboo fence, and operational costs increase because more fuel is needed," said Doni.
Previously, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono targeted the resolution of the 30.16 kilometer sea fence problem in Tangerang waters within the next week.
"Yes, if possible, it can be completed (the Tangerang sea fence problem) in the next week. We will finish it soon, as soon as possible, really as soon as possible," he said in a press conference after the Working Meeting (Raker) with Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives at the Nusantara Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Central Jakarta, Thursday (23/1).
He emphasized that the resolution carried out by his party was in accordance with the authority of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, namely administratively.
"As we promised to Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives, we will reveal it as soon as possible according to our authority, namely examining it from an administrative aspect," he said.
He also admitted that he would improve coordination across ministries/institutions in completing the sea fence.
"Earlier, it was concluded that if there are legal sanctions, it should be coordinated, it will go to another institution, there is the police there, there is the prosecutor's office there, yes, later we will coordinate," he said.
He ensured that the KKP would continue its investigation into the sea fence.