Ministry Sets Seaweed Production Target At 7.5 Mln Tons

Jakarta, April 22 (Antara) - The Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries Affairs (KKP) has set a target of seaweed production at 7.5 million tons this year, a cabinet minister said. "The KKP this year targets seaweed production at 7.5 million tons, up 30 percent from the previous year which stood at 5.2 million tons," Maritime and Fisheries Minister Sharif Cicip Sutardjo said in a press statement made available to Antara here on Monday. The minister said that his ministry had also planned to produce 10 million tons of the same commodity in 2014. In order to achieve the target, the minister said that his side would apply a strategy in developing the downstream sector of the commodity. Sharif said that the development of the downstream was strategic in increasing the added value of seaweeds. "We have also set a target to produce 205 thousand tons of processed seaweeds in 2013," he added. The minister said that processed products would be in the form of ATC (Alkali Treated Carrageenan), SRC (Semi Refine Carrageenan), RC (Refine Carrageena), gelatin and alginate. Based on data at the KKP, Indonesia has seaweed potential areas covering 1.110 million hectares. Indonesia also has some 555 species of seaweed plasm. Thus, about 45 percent of the world`s seaweed species are found in Indonesia. The benefit of cultured seaweed is that it could be harvested in 45 days. It could even be cultured along the seasons in Indonesia. With the big potential and supporting climate, scientists and researchers have a very important role in the development of seaweeds in the country. "They can directly play roles in the seedling process, culture, post-harvest handling, processing, formulation industry and end production derivation," the minister said. In the meantime, Indonesian Seaweed Association (ARLI) Chairman Safari Azis said last week that at least 50 countries would take part in the International Seaweed Symposium (ISS) in Bali from April 21-26, 2013. "Representatives from at least 50 country will attend the 21st symposium, but unfortunately the papers from Indonesian side to be presented are still less than those from other countries such as Malaysia," Safari said during a press conference at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) building here last Monday (April 15). According to him, the International Seaweed Symposium is held once in three years by International Seaweed Association (ISA) since its first meeting in Edinburgh in July 1952. During the 20th International Seaweed Symposium in Ensenada, Mexico, in February 2010, ISA selected Indonesia to host the 21st symposium in its island resort of Bali in 2013. "For Indonesia to host the event, it will be a good opportunity for the country to show various achievements it has made in developing seaweed and seaweed industries," he noted. Safari said that themed "Seaweed Science for Sustainable Prosperity", the 21st ISS in Bali will provide a forum for scientists, technologists, business people and resource managers to present their latest research results, exchange ideas and develop new synergies. He said during the symposium, the results of various researches, trade exhibitions and business meetings on seaweed would be discussed in an effort to strengthen the nation`s seaweed industry.