Authorities Urged to Hunt Down Lobster Larva Collectors

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Evidence in the form of pouches containing lobster seedlings is presented at a press conference on the success of the Juanda Customs and Excise Office in Sidoarjo, East Java, in foiling a smuggling attempt on Monday (24/6/2019). As many as 113,300 lobster seedlings valued at Rp 17.3 billion were packed in suitcases and were about to be flown to Singapore through the Juanda airport.

The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry has data on the flow of money behind the country’s illegal lobster larva trade that involves local fishermen. The police are urged to arrest lobster larva collectors to clamp down on the smuggling network.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — It is alleged that between Rp 300 billion (US$21.21 million) and Rp 900 billion in foreign funds flow into the country every year for purchasing lobster larvae from local fishermen.