REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The EU lauded the efforts made by Indonesia's government in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as noted in a press statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Brussels, Belgium, received by Antara here, Wednesday.

EU Commissioner for Marine and Environmental Affairs Karmenu Vella conveyed the message on behalf of the union to Indonesian Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti at the European Commission's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday (April 24). 

According to Vella, Indonesia is an important partner of the EU in ensuring the sustainable management of fisheries at the international level.

Minister Pudjiastuti, who was accompanied by Indonesian Ambassador to the EU Yuri Thamrin and Director General for Strengthening Competitiveness of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Nilanto Perbowo, highlighted Indonesia's efforts to improve the fishery sector.

"All efforts made by Indonesia to eradicate IUU fishing and to conduct the sustainable management of fisheries should receive recognition and acknowledgement from the EU, including the application of zero tariff on Indonesian fishery products entering the EU market," Minister Pudjiastuti affirmed.

Pudjiastuti expressed hope that the cooperation between Indonesia and the EU would be improved.

Minister Pudjiastuti and Commissioner Vella affirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation, including supporting the Oceans Conference in Malta in 2017 and in Bali in 2018.

Based on Eurostat Data, EU consumers had spent 54 billion Euros on fishery products in 2015.

Meanwhile, the imports of their fish products accounted for 20 percent of the total 120 billion Euros of imported food items.

Meanwhile, data from the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries revealed that the value of exports of the nation's fishery products to the EU market amounted to US$404 million.

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