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.

The head of the fish quarantine and quality control agency (BKIPM) at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, Rina, said that such collectors in villages received huge funding from foreign dealers. Rina said that data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) showed that the money was channeled through Batam and Brunei from Singapore-based bank accounts.

“The amount averages between Rp 300 billion and Rp 900 billion every year,” said Rina.

She said the fund was distributed to local fishermen through several private accounts at domestic banks belonging to a toy store, a textile store and a fish export company.

Rina said the ministry had investigated the money trail and had obtained the account holders’ names. “We know the names. However, they have never set foot in Indonesia,” she said.

High prices

Kompas’ investigation in mid-May at lobster larva fisheries and trade areas from the coast of Sukabumi in southern West Java to Lebak, Banten, found that such collectors absorbed the lobster larvae that fishermen had caught, no matter how many.

RA, a fisherman in Cikahuripan village, Cisolok district, Sukabumi regency, said that the demand for lobster larvae had continued to remain high among collectors over the last four years. The high price of the larvae had prompted fishermen to compete against one another in catching lobster larvae.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Officers prepare evidence in the form of pouches containing lobster seedlings 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.

Collectors buy the larvae at Rp 7,000 for each larva of the scalloped spiny lobster (Panulirus homarus) and Rp 40,000 for each larva of the ornate rock lobster (Panulirus ornatus).

These collectors then smuggle the lobster larvae abroad, with their prices increasing manifold. The ministry estimates that one larva of the scalloped spiny lobster can reach up to Rp 150,000 at the smuggling destination. One larva of the ornate rock lobster can reach Rp 200,000 per larva.

During its investigation into the activities of lobster larva collectors on Binuangeun Beach in Lebak, Kompas met lobster larva collector IW. At first, IW would not admit that he was a larva collector, although Kompas found him as he was paying cash to purchase 50 larvae of the scalloped spiny lobster from fisherman HH. The transaction took place in the kitchen of a local shop.

Despite his amicable behavior, IW refused to admit that he collected lobster larvae, even to the point of claiming his belief that catching lobster larvae should be banned. “The regulations say that lobster larvae must be returned to the sea if they are caught,” he said.

Then, HH spoke up and said that IW was indeed a lobster larva collector. HH said that he received Rp 350,000 from selling the larvae to IW. “Yes, I’ve just sold lobster larvae [to IW],” said HH.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Invitees have a close look at evidence in the form of pouches containing lobster seedlings 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.

Expanding trade

The illegal trade in lobster larvae on the southern coast between Sukabumi and Lebak continues relatively untouched by authorities. West Java maritime affairs and fisheries agency head Jafar Ismail said that the lobster larva fishing trade was difficult to control. As a result, the trade along West Java’s southern coast had expanded.

“It used to be only in Sukabumi, in Cisolok. Nowadays, it has expanded to Cidaun [in Cianjur], Garut and even to southern Tasikmalaya,” said Jafar.

He said that among the measures taken to eradicate the illegal lobster larva trade was arresting local collectors. “The collectors sell [their lobster larvae] to the dealers. It is these big fish that we have to catch,” he said.

Banten Police spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Edy Sumardi said that fishermen should be taught that lobster larvae should not be exploited to ensure the preservation of the crustaceans, and that this was the government’s responsibility.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Officers pack evidence in the form of pouches containing lobster seedlings into suitcases 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.

West Java Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said that an integrated operation was necessary, as would be the provision of an alternative means of livelihood for lobster larva fishermen. “The government must increase its role in encouraging lobster larva fishermen to switch jobs,” he said. (MDN/NIA/ADY/VIO)