Indonesia Looks to Revive Lobster Exports

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries aims to diversify the country's export portfolio to include lobsters.

According to Minister of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry Edhy Prabowo, lobsters in Indonesia can produce approximately 27 billion lobster eggs, known locally as benur.

The calculation is based on the assumption that one lobster is able to produce 500,000 eggs.

Read also: Indonesia’s Agriculture Sector Blossoms during Coronavirus Pandemic

Basing his claim on research conducted in Australia, Edhy said that one million lobster eggs can be produced per lobster.

“An expert professor calculated that one lobster can produce 1 million eggs. Lobsters can produce eggs four times in which the mating season lasts around four months. This entails that lobsters in Indonesia can produce eggs year-round,” said Edhy Prabowo.

The egg production of lobsters in Indonesia is an opportunity to take advantage of, he said.

Based on Edhy’s assessment, the survival rate of lobster eggs in the wild is only 0.02 percent. Thus, for every 20,000 lobster eggs, only one egg will reach maturity.

Read also: Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture Gets Innovative to Achieve Food Security

Depending on the cultivation mechanism, the survival rate of lobsters can reach between 30 and 70 percent if it is farmed.

The survival rate of lobsters in floating net cages is 30 percent.

The percentage would increase to 80 percent survival rate if the cages are placed deeper into the ocean.

“Now the choice is whether we allow nature do its job or are we going to rethink the cultivation process to increase yield? We have plenty of successful experiences cultivating fish,” said Edhy.

Read also: Make the Most of IA-CEPA, Indonesia's Vice Trade Minister Advises Indonesian Businesses

To prevent the lobster eggs from being wiped out, the Minister has made it mandatory for exporters to release 2 percent of the caught lobsters into the wild.

This measure means that we would have 100 times more lobster eggs than there would be in the wild.

“This is just one example, but there are plenty more. We can also do it with mud crabs and eels. The crucial aspect is our communication with the government, ministries, and all stakeholders,” said Edhy.

Previously, Edhy permitted the harvest of lobsters carrying eggs for cultivation purposes and that of export activities.

Read also: Indonesia and Australia Move Ahead with Beef and Livestock Trade

This is regulated under Minister Regulation Number 12 Year 2020 which amended Minister Regulation Number 56 Year 2020.

The latest regulation continues to spark public debate over the Minister’s decision.

Several parties including animal farmers view the regulation as emphasizing the exports of lobster eggs whereas Edhy Prabowo has stated it is to create enthusiasm over lobster farming. 

(Writer: Fika Nurul Ulya | Editor: Sakina Rakhma Diah Setiawan) 

Source: https://money.kompas.com/read/2020/07/15/122200526/menteri-edhy--lobster-di-perairan-ri-bisa-bertelur-sampai-27-miliar