Kendari, SE Sulawesi, July 11 (Antara) - The Southeast Sulawesi Fishery Office asks the central government for the procurement of 127 units of fishing boats this year.
Head of the provincial Marine and Fishery Office Askabul Kijo hopes that the fund for the procurement of the fishing boats is set aside in the state budget.
"Southeast Sulawesi is optimistic that the proposal to the Marine and Fishery Ministry would give priority to the proposal as fishing is promising in the region," Askabul said here on Tuesday.
The proposal for assistance in the form of fishing boats for fishermen is in line with the instruction of the president No. 1 of 2010, he said.
Assistance in the form of 30-tons fishing boats for a group 10-13 fishermen , according to the presidential instruction is to improve the welfare of families of fishermen.
In 2016, the Marine and Fishery Ministry distributed 63 uni8ts of fishing boats for groups of fishermen in 17 regencies in Southeast Sulawesi.
"From year to year fishing boat assistance by the central government for Southeast Sulawesi has increased as that province has abundant fish resource and already have infrastructure like fish terminal," Askabul added.