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 | Precedents & Current Needs
The success of the introduction of modern plywood-epoxy stitch and tape boats to South India is of great significance to the situation that Indonesia fishermen now face. Until last year, illegal logging and subsidized fuel in Indonesia have combined to create an unsustainable fish boat infrastructure. Recent changes will force fishermen to adopt new solutions or to find other work.
Isolation of fisher communities combined with rapidly rising transport costs follow a 5 year foreign investment drought.
Alternative labor opportunities almost non-existent for most of these island communities and the ocean protein is a critical part of the nations diet.
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| Environmental Issues
There is a clear relationship between the exploitation of Indonesia's vast coral reef system and the standard of living of fisher communities. In the project area live coral is being harvested, dried and sold by fishermen who are finding fishing no longer viable. A small percentage of fishermen have migrated to the marine tourism sector but the number is not significant. Recent security concerns and travel warnings have seen tourist arrivals drop forcing a contraction in this alternative source of income.
Bombing for fish remains a constant threat and the use of chemicals for the capture of aquarium fish and lobster is now very widespread. The effects of both forms of illegal fishing result in long term destruction of delicate coral reef habitat. This in turn impacts breeding & spawning grounds with a spiral of poverty and desperation being the inevitable result.
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| Social Implications & Regional Security
To reverse the declining standard of living in the fisheries sector is of great importance given the large number of people impacted in Indonesia.
Many already live in extreme poverty, and it is critical that new technical solutions are developed and tested quickly. It is widely understood that extreme poverty combined with near zero opportunities is a sure recipe for environmental vandalism, smuggling, piracy and other illegal activities.
The geophysical nature of Indonesia with over 13,000 islands makes this issue one of great importance for the future stability of the region.
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