RI fishery output projected at 4.9 mln tons in 2007

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Ministry of Fishery and Marine Resources has projected the national fishery production to reach 4.9 million tons, a 3.6 pct increase compared to that in last year`s corresponding period, a spokesman said.

Husni Mangga Barani, director general at the ministry said here Wednesday that the marine and fishery products contributed 4.63 million tons and inland fishery products 305,650 tons.

Though the increase in fuel oil prices in October 2006 was still the main problem in the sector, provisional statistics in 2006 still showed an upward trend of the national fishery production, he added.

"Therefore we still project the national fishery production in 2007 to reach 4.9 million tons," he said.

Husni also said the 2006 national fishery production was expected to reach 4.76 million tons to which marine fishery production contributes 4.4 million tons and inland fishery products 301,150 tons.

The national fishery production in 2006 increased by 1.34 pct compared to that in last year`s corresponding period a year reaching 4.70 million tons. In total, the national fishery production including from fish ponds rose by 7.39 million tons or increase by 7.6 pct compared to the same period a year earlier reaching 6.86 million tons.

Meanwhile the sector is expected to absorb 2.66 million workers in 2007, an increase by 2.5 pct compared to that in last year`s corresponding period reaching 2.60 million tons.