World Consumers Prefer Fish Than Meat: Ministry

Jakarta, Dec 18 (Antara) - All stakeholders are expected to make fisheries industrialization programs in Indonesia a success because the world`s consumers now prefer fish over beef, stated a senior official. "Cultured fish production has continued to increase and exceed the target every year, thanks to the world`s consumers` trend in preferring fish over beef," stated Slamet Soebijakto, the Director General of cultured fish of the Marines Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, here on Wednesday. He explained that based on data gathered by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the world`s fisheries production has reached 66 million tons, exceeding beef production which is only 63 million tons. The director general added that Indonesia`s fish production had been increasing every year. In 2012, it was recorded at 9.6 million tons. The target for 2013 is set at 13 million tons and for 2014, at 16.9 million tons. He said that cultured fish had become a mainstay of the country and the world`s food resilience. Climate change and bad weather have also often hampered the production of catch fish because fishermen cannot maximize their fishing activities, thus reducing catch fish production. "This does not happen with cultured fish activities. It could be cultivated based on the productivity, need and financial capability," he explained. Therefore, cultured fish has become not only a mainstay sector but also the main source of fish exports, leading to an increase in the country`s foreign exchange income, the director general noted. He said that consistent development of the country`s technology has also transformed the country`s fish production to become better in quality and classier. The Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sharif Cicip Sutardjo stated earlier that Indonesia`s marines and fisheries products must be export oriented in an effort to improve the welfare of the people. "The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries have since 2012 planned a marine and fisheries industrialization program to increase production and value added products with high competitive edge for market exports," explained the minister.