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Nusa Dua Bali, Indonesia, Oct 7, 2013 - (ACN Newswire) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, representing U.S. President Barrack Obama at the 2013 APEC meeting in Bali, accompanied Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sharif C. Sutardjo in visiting the Benoa fishing port area, Bali, on October 6.
Mr. Kerry stressed that the world is now facing a significant drop in production from commercial fisheries. The issue is also impacting the U.S., particularly in New England and the North Eastern states. "We (the United States) are also facing what Indonesia is facing, which is the significant shrinkage of commercial fisheries. Sustainable fisheries must absolutely be implemented," said Kerry.
Mr. Kerry stated that the U.S. clearly recognizes the dependence of over 60 million Indonesian people on the marine and fishery sectors, making America keen to improve its sustainable fishery practice by, among others, conducting partnerships with Indonesian fishery industry players - both in public and private sectors. "The United States of America places high interest in the fishery sector," he asserted.
Visiting the Benoa fishing port area, Kerry appreciated the entire fishing chain processing implemented at the port. The processing phase is instrumental given that world-qualified tuna require international handling standards. Among Indonesian tuna exporters, Anova frozen tuna produced by PT. Balinusa Windutama is an Indonesian tuna product widely appreciated in the United States.
The Marine Strategic Partnership
Indonesian Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sharif C. Sutardjo, stated that the visit by Kerry to the port shows that Indonesian commercial fishing is compatible with U.S. import standards. "He has come to ensure compatibility of the Indonesian fishing industry, as well as to ensure the dependability of the tuna supply to the U.S. market," explained the Minister.
Kerry's visit to the port underlines an effort by the Indonesian government to strengthen the strategic partnership in the marine and fishery sectors between both countries. The relationship between both countries is marked by an increase in the bilateral trade balance over the last two years. The highest trade balance ever dealt by both countries was in 2011, with a total trade balance of US$26,5 billion. "The APEC meeting is a milestone in proving that marine and fishery sectors can be a national prime mover," Sharif asserted.
Kerry also acknowledged the enhancement of the U.S. - Indonesia National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The partnership aims to build the capacity of IUU rule enforcement, Port State Measure development, a number of marine and fishery-related training programs and workshops, Sea Grant Partnership improvement, as well as deep sea exploration cooperation in the Sangihe Talaud Region. "The bilateral cooperation can be the springboard to strengthening marine and fishery partnerships of both countries," he confirmed.
The governments of Indonesia and the U.S. also agreed on improving the marine economy sector. The partnership has already been implemented through the program of Indonesia Marine and Climate Support (IMACS) - supporting the USAID. Additionally, the partnership between both countries has now been expanded to other sectors: mitigation of environmental damage and disaster, and climate change data exchange. "We also discussed U.S. aid to data management. Particularly, data on fishery potency and climate change, helping our local fishermen to fish effectively and safely," said the Minister.
Sharif added both countries are also of the same mind on the importance of sustainable marine and fishery resource utilization optimization. "The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries has accordingly implemented the blue economy concept with a view to sustainably, effectively and safely strengthening marine resource management," he concluded.
For more information, please contact:
Anang Noegroho
Head of Statistic and Data Center
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries
+62-21-351-9070
Topic: Government
Source: Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries
Sectors: Environment, ESG
https://www.acnnewswire.com
From the Asia Corporate News Network
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