The trash in Kuta Beach Bali, most of it is plastic that washes ashore during the rainy season (Image Credit: Wira Suryantala/Antara/Reuters)

Indonesia’s fisheries ministry encourages plastic makers and fishermen to fight against marine plastic debris

Indonesia government shows its commitment to reduce plastic waste in the ocean as the country is reported to be the second-largest contributor to plastic waste in the world.

The Indonesia Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) will control and limit the usage of single-use plastics in fishing ports. A regulation on marine plastic debris has been issued by the government through a Presidential Regulation (PP) No 83 the Year 2018.

Under the coordination of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, KKP Ministry works together with the Environmental Affairs and Forestry Ministry to supervise marine plastics debris.


Earlier on Sunday, The Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti participated in a plastic waste campaign themed "Plastic Debris Parade" at The Aspiration Park.

During the event, the Minister has demanded plastics producers to work together in reducing plastic waste by helping the government to clean up oceans from plastics.

To replace single-use plastic usage among fishermen, the ministry plans to make flake ice which can be placed into cool boxes or storages.

Single-use plastic is also no longer used by fish merchants in several fish markets, according to Minister Susi Pudjiastuti.

Indonesia government has set a target to preserve ocean by protecting the country’s seas from 70 percent of land trash, said The ministry’s director-general for maritime spatial management, Bramantya Satya Murti.

Since this is a huge task, the government calls on communities, producers and other stakeholders to be responsible for Indonesia’s seas, added the director-general.

The government is actively promoting campaigns about the danger of plastic debris to create public awareness and to increase their sense of responsibility to protect and love oceans.

Minister Susi Pudjiastuti also has encouraged the public to use reusable bags in daily activities.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1226939/fisheries-ministry-to-reduce-single-use-plastics-in-fishing-ports?Engteco_newsUtama&campaign=Engteco_newsUtama_Click_4