The Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) has set the Indonesian quota at only 750 tonnes per year but the Indonesian authority feels that this quota is thought to be too small in comparison with the catch size, vessels and fishing companies in Indonesia. Purwito Martosubroto, Head of the Indonesian Tuna Commission, said that the way to increase and divide the quota is yet to be decided. He informed that it will be discussed with stakeholders.
Since last year Indonesia has been a member of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and CCSBT. Consequently, Indonesian has an obligation to protect the ecosystem and marine resources, especially tuna fish populations. Head of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Fishing and Marine Agency, Anna Salean Adam, said that NTT seaweed production between January and September 2008 had reached 37,000 tonnes, superseding the 2008 production target of 27,000 tonnes.
According to Anna Salean Adam informed that of the 20 districts in NTT which are seaweed producers, Lembata is the largest, producing around 10,000 tonnes per year, followed by Sikka (8,000 tonnes per year), Rote Ndao (7,000 tonnes per year) and East Flores (5,000 tonnes per year).
