Fish Population Decreased Due to Polluted Rivers, Basuki Says

Jakarta Governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama stated that the difficulty of fishermen catching fish does not only happen in Teluk Jakarta but almost whole regions in Indonesia. According to him, it is because of illegal fishing in large number.

Whole Indonesia would get no fishes as there are so many illegal fishing in sea

"Indonesia would get no fishes as there are so many illegal fishing in sea," said Basuki, at City Hall, Thursday (11/12).

Seribu Island Fishermen Given 770 Bubu Rajungan

Meanwhile on seaside, he continued, fish existence is declined due to water pollution of 13 rivers flowing in Jakarta. It is not because the reclamation conducted. "Are there still many fishes on seaside? Is it because reclamation or pollution of 13 river? It’s pollution," he expressed.

He then compared condition of rivers now with a few years ago. According to him, rivers in Jakarta then were still clean thus had many fishes. But now the condition is completely different. Ciliwung River has been full of trash disposed by the locals.

"Now if fishermen want to go fishing, they go near the river side. At my grandfather's age, there were so many fishes. But now it's decreased," he told.