Government urged to develop neglected fishery ports

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - House of Representatives` fishery commission has called on the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DKP) to give a priority to the development of fishery ports which have been neglected in a number of regions in Indonesia.

The appeal was made in a hearing between the House`s Commission IV and the Minister for Maritime and Fishery Affairs Freddy Numberi here on Monday night.

"The government in 2008 should give priorities to the development of fishery ports which have been neglected so far," Commission IV chairman Yusuf Faishal said.

The working meeting between the government and the House discussed the ministry`s proposed allocations for the revised 2007 state budget as well as draft budget for 2008.

The DKP was proposing a budget of Rp500 billion for the development of fishery ports in the country in 2008.

DKP`s Director General for Fish Catch, Ali Supardan said his ministry`s proposed budget was to be used to develop ocean-going fishery ports (PPS), fish-unloading ports (PPI) and fish-auction ports (TPI).

"Fishery ports that the government will give priorities in the 2008 stage budget are those located in disadvantaged regions and in Indonesia`s outlying areas," he said.