REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Maritime and Fisheries Affairs Minister Susi Pudjiastuti estimated the state losses inflicted by illegal fishing across Indonesian waters reaches up to trillions of rupiah.

"The state loss is more than Rp11 trillion," said Susi during a press conference at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry office here on Friday.

She said, the figures were originally derived from counting of 5,329 large vessels or weighs 30 Gross Tons (GT) over the care of licensing at Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry.

Of the thousands of the ships, it is known that the government issued subsidies to the fishing industry is estimated to reach approximately Rp11.5 trillion per year.

While the government through tax state revenue (non-tax) are obtained from the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry from boats can only get around 300 billion.

Thus, Susi said, the state revenue figures are not comparable to the amount released by the government to the fishing industry.

Therefor, she had been instructed that the rules related to it be revised so that the country can earn revenue with a much larger number. If the greater revenue to the state, so the amount that can be used, among others, to improve the welfare of traditional fishermen.

Marine and Fisheries Minister also revealed that he will meet with President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace Complex today, to apply for permission to leave on Saturday (1/11).

Previously, Marine and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said the country deserved more revenue than the income derived from fishing vessels operating in Indonesian waters.

"The country deserves more better," said Susi Pudjiastuti in the press conference at Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, Thursday (30/10).

He pointed out, in Australia, for fishing vessels wishing to catch lobster in the waters of the country, should pay "license" (permission) about 1 million US dollars.

Even with a very large amount, the period of fishing should be done only allowed in certain situations or months.

Marine and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti also said would impose a moratorium or halt the licensing of fishing for large ships in 2014.

"I want a moratorium permit large ships until the end of 2014," Susi said when an audience with the entrepreneurs at Kadin Tower, Thursday.

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