Indonesia and Thailand are working on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at solving problematic fishing practices in Indonesian waters, but there is a considerable way to go before all parties are satisfied with the MoU.
Indonesia is asking Thai operators to sign up for joint venture deals with local companies that will provide processing and freezing facilities.
“We are working very closely to finalize an MoU by the middle of this year — one that moves beyond the old formula of the issuance of license (for Thai vessels to operate in Indonesian waters) and toward more joint ventures and partnerships for the mutual benefit of both countries,” said Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa.
However, Thai fishing companies are not thrilled with the proposal, as they claim Indonesia is not technically advanced enough to provide the facilities they need.
Following his meeting with Natalegawa, Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya said the MoU was aimed at developing the fishery management plan between the two countries, as well as stimulating Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital and largest city, to further develop its labor force and infrastructure systems, such as electricity, water supply and ports.
“Besides, Indonesia has to put its house in order while Thailand’s Harbor Department, Fisheries Department, the private sector and boat owners co-operate to tackle the problems,” said Piromya. Piromya also urged greater communication between Thai fishing boat operators, the owners and Indonesian state fishing agencies.
Fishing fleets from Thailand catch some 300,000 to 400,000 metric tons of seafood annually, with Indonesia claiming there is 1.6 million metric tons of fish taken from their territorial waters by a number of countries, including Thailand, annually.
