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Lobster seeds release activity. (ANTARA/HO-Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries)

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries released 43 thousand lobster seeds seized from foiled smuggling attempts into their natural habitat in the waters of Liwungan Island in Pandeglang, Banten.

Head of the Serang Coastal and Marine Resource Management, Syarif Iwan Taruna Alkadrie, noted in a statement received in Jakarta, Monday, that the activity was part of the implementation of the Maritime and Fisheries Ministerial Regulation Number 12 / PERMEN-KP / 2020 on Lobster and Crab Management in the Indonesian Territory.

"According to the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister’s Regulation, the Directorate General of Marine Spatial Management, through the Technical Management Unit, is assigned to determine the location and procedures for releasing lobsters," he remarked.

Alkadrie further expounded that Banten's Liwungan Island was selected as the location to release lobster seeds after taking into account the basic ecological and geographical conditions of the waters that have rocky and sandy habitats.

"Important criteria encompass selection of coral reef substrate in addition to being a place to find food as well as to protect lobster seeds from predator attacks," he expounded.

Alkadrie further pointed out that in 2020, the ministry had at least thrice released lobster seeds in Pandeglang.

Some 36,800 lobsters were earlier released into the waters of Labuan Bay on May 1, and 9,200 lobsters were released in the Labuan waters on April 22.

"This release is the largest in number in our work area. Hopefully, the efforts made would ensure the preservation of lobster resources and proffer benefits for the prosperity of the community, especially of farmers and fishermen," he added. (ANTARA)