UNIVERSITIES SEE TREMENDOUS POTENTIALS IN MARITIME AND FISHERY INDUSTRY

Universities were beginning to see the maritime sector as a potential medium for Indonesia's economic development, so some Universities like the Ubaya University was interested in joining the col­laboration program of adopting small islands. Some universities like the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), the Bogor Institute of Agriculture , the Hasanu­ddin University and the Udayana University (UNHAS) had already pioneered such collaboration “Ubaya can choose an island as nurtured island so students in the practice program (KKN) would be interested to join. This was disclosed by spokesperson of the Board of Seamen Resources and Fishery (BPSOM-KP), Ministry of Maritime and Fishery (KPP) Sjarif Widjaja to Busi­ness News (20/1).

The Island adoption Program was only to build capacity of island dwelling place. But the program was to run economy the right way. The most signifi­cant activities was to build powerhouses, manage sanitation system, and to tap clean water. All the activities would create an economic generator center and simultaneously offer opportunities to perform for university graduates. “Through student’s activities of island adopting, including adoption of outer islands, functioning and investment in islands could be en­hanced”.

The way it had been, the Government was unable to manage small outer islands, while the very existence of those islands were strategic, in terms of the state's sovereignty. In times when the little is­lands were neglected, the state's sovereignty was at stake because the lost island would automatically reduce Indonesia’s water areas. International borders between Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam needed underscoring of small islands be­longing to Indonesia, “so the Government offered opportununities to universities through island adopting collaboration program” Sjarif Wijaya was quoted as saying.

The University of Hassanuddin has adopted sebatik island as nurtured island. The Surabaya Insti­tute of Technology (ITS) had adopted the Berawan is­land in Sumenep. The University of Udayana did this to Lambongan island. “They could use the island as loca­tion of scientific research of their school” Sjarif said.

Island adoption was by no means island sell­ing practices on the contrary the program called out students, scientists and the local communities to manage the islands well. Functioning of islands was highly reliant on electricity supply, so the Ministry of KKP had build air powered generators, solar genera­tors and water current generators. Clean water was obtained by sea water processing, processing of wastage into bio mass, bio-gas. “The technological content is high, so it would be most appropriate.”

Each time there was event in university cam­pus, the Ministry would publicize the island adopting program, such as in the Ubaya University Surabaya, there was notably positive response from the Dean of the Faculty of Law of Ubaya University, The Ubaya University was beginning to see maritime as remark­able medium of Indonesia's economic development. On the other hand The Minister of Maritime and Fish­ery Sjarief G. Sutardjo encourage tertiary schools to understand various laws and regulations for devel­oping the maritime and fishery sector. On the eco­nomic side, the Ministry of Economy was badly in need of ideal support from universities so the people's economy bring gent benefit and protection.

For example in 2013 there was already the National Legislation Program in regard to Maritime Bill which was already set forth by the Government to Parliament. The Bill encompassed some aspects not regulated by the Fishery Law and the Law of Coastlines and Small Islands. One of the points in the Maritime Bill was development of sustainable economy. All stakeholders must benefit from marine resources but it must be done the sustainable way. “So it is necessary to formulate them in the Maritime Bill. Now we are looking forward to seeing time schedule of discussion by House. This year, we feel sure the Bill can dissected in House” Minister Sjariet remarked.

 The maritime sector was relatively some­thing new, in this case the development of science and business ran in parallel. The universities were not meeting market's need at home and abroad on the contrary they had the chance to create a market. “The business opportunity is not significant, so there is opportunity for universities to encourage gradu­ates to become new entrepreneurs” Minister Sjarief remarked.

The Ministry of Maritime and Fishery (KKP) had fostered collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) to build Powerhous­es. Collaboration with the Ministry of ESDM would be directed toward energizing small islands. "We call them out to think about islands. Coordination with other ministries or provincial Governments are the key factors to successful endeavors”.

Meanwhile the Directorate General of Fish Cultivation (DJBP) and the Research & Development of KKP were making intensive research to find solu­tion to the case of mass-death of fish at the Jatiluhur dam, West Java, due to emergence of sub-current to the surface. This team came from the Plain Water Bio Conservation Development (BBPBAT) in Suka­bumi who were in charge of identifying affected loca­tions and number of fish cultivators affected” Slamet Soebijakto, Director General of Fishery Cultivation disclosed to Business News (20/1).

Over the period of 2008-2010 the Ministry of KKP ran a pilot project of Bandeng fish protection at the Djuanda reservoir through co-management ef­forts and over that period no mass-death of fish was detected. “Over the period of 2008-2010 tiger was no mass death of fish found in Djuanda lake" Slamet was quoted as saying.

Based on identification outcome of the DJBP Team at the Djuanda reservoir lake, the areas being affected by fish mass death were located in 5 zones from the village of Tajur, the district of Sindang up to the village of Sindang Laya, the District of Sentani most of the fish cultivators had record of fish extinc­tion. For that matter fish cultivators were expected to use green animal feed while DJBP would coordi­nate with the local authorities in regard to regulations of conation and capacity of lake. “As sound measure, in the near future planned to seed-spread Bandeng fish to improve water quality of Djuanda water reservoir” Slamet remarked.

­ Based on analysis and available data it was concluded that the cause of backflow in early 2013 was extreme climate. The weather factor, cloudy skies and drizzles without sunshine for more than 3 (thee) consecutive weeks created different water temperature between the surface and bottom of lake, which caused mass death of fish. The cause of downgraded water quality at the bottom of lake was high amount of organics entering the lake water, blooming plankton and fish cultivating which came to 10 times of lake capacity. (SS)

Business News - January 25,2013