Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry is to focus on development of Minapolitan areas (fisheries cities) in 41 Indonesian regions this year.

"In 2011, the ministry is to focus on formation of Minapolitan areas consisting of nine fishing based sites, 24 aquaculture sites, and eight central salt sites," said Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad during the ministry`s 2011 outlook meeting here Wednesday.

The nine fishing based sites are located in Pelabuhan Ratu, Tamperan Muncar Ternate, Sungai Liat Nusantara Fishery Ports (PPN), Cilacap Bitung, Belawan and Ambon Ocean Fishery Ports (PPS).

The other 24 pilot aquaculture based Minapolitan are located inMuoro Jambi, Kampar, Bogor, Banyumas, Blitar, Gunung Kidul, Morowali, Sumbawa, Sumba Timur, Banjar, Pohuwato, Boyolali, Klaten, Gresik, Lamongan, Serang, Maros, Pangkep, Pesawaran, Bintan, Bangli, Musi Rawas, Pandeglang and Kapuas.

And for the eight salt centers are located in Cirebon, Indramayu, Rembang, Pati, Pamekasan, Sampang, Sumenep, and Nagakeo.

Besides the ministry is also designing a Mega-Minapolitan project in Morotai, North Maluku, in which Taiwan reportedly is interested in developing the island as the center of the largest fisheries for aquaculture and fisheries.

Mega-Minapolitan project is a large scaled Minapolitan where Major investors will get a number of conveniences and amenities.

Apart from the Minapolitan project, National Community Empowerment Program (PNPM) self marine and fisheries dependent through the Rural Business Development Mina (PUMP), People`s Salt Business Development Salt (PUGR), and peoples micro credit (KUR).

Ministry has also set their 2011 marine and fisheries sector development goal such as to contribute 3.5 percent fishery for the national GDP, 12.26 million tones fishery production (5.41 million tons of fishing and 6.85 million tons of cultivation), and the 3.2 billion US dollars value of fishery exports

Another target is to have 449 units of certified Fish Processing Units (UPI), 112 fishermen exchange values (NTN), 0.9 million hectares of sea and waters conservation area, to manage some 30 outermost small islands, and 75 percent of free illegal fisheries management areas.(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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