Indonesia: Fuel shortages keep fishermen from going to sea

Hundreds of fishermen in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, have been unable to go to sea for the last four days due to a fuel shortage in their area.

Fishermen from Ampenan, Batulayar and Pemenang in West Lombok have been forced to leave their fishing boats idle, using their time instead to repair damage to their boats and fishing nets.


“I have not gone to sea for four days. The fuel supply is limited at the moment. If there is any fuel, the price skyrockets to Rp 10,000 (approximately US$1.11) per liter,” M. Mursim, a fishermen from Ampenan, said Saturday. The normal price of fuel is Rp 4,500 per liter.

He said that 30 liters of fuel is required for a boat to go to sea. “I don’t want to gamble. What if I don’t get a good catch? I will just lose money,” he said.

Jakarta Post