The Indonesian marine resources and fisheries minister, Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, says the government will join the Conservation Commission of South Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT).
The news was first heard at the Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Meeting held in Australia last week and it was welcomed wholeheartedly. “Indonesia’s decision to join CCSBT is an important step in dealing with bluefin Tuna supply, notably as South Korea has also decided to join the commission,” explained Australian agriculture, fishery and forestry minister Warren Truss.
Since 1994, the commission has attempted to reverse the population decrease of the now endangered south bluefin tuna, whose schools are rapidly depleting in numbers.
Indonesia’s decision is particularly crucial to the future of the fish because large numbers have been migrating to within the catchment area of Indonesia’s economic zone and breeding south of Java Island.
