Politics · Indonesia · 3 hrs ago
Indonesia makes ban on lobster larvae exports permanent
Indonesia’s fisheries minister says the country will permanently ban exports of lobster larvae, also called lobster seeds.
The larvae may still be caught for aquaculture, but they must be raised in Indonesia under quotas.
Farmed lobsters weighing at least 50 grams can be exported if they meet requirements, including proof of origin.
The government says it wants to keep more economic value from lobster farming in the country.
A new task force bringing together government and law enforcement agencies will work to stop illegal shipments.
The minister said enforcement at home is the priority for now, after about two years of efforts to cooperate with neighboring countries did not stop smuggling.
Indonesia says it may later discuss legal government-to-government arrangements with countries seeking larvae.
Indonesia will permanently ban exports of lobster larvae, Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said.
The government says larvae may be caught for aquaculture subject to quotas, but must be cultivated in Indonesia.
Farmed lobsters weighing at least 50 grams may still be exported if they meet requirements, including documentation certifying their origin.
A new task force will focus on stopping illegal shipments of larvae out of Indonesia.
The government says it wants to expand domestic lobster farming and capture more economic value from the country’s marine resources.
- Who
- Indonesia’s government, represented by Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono.
- What
- The government will permanently ban exports of lobster larvae and prioritize domestic farming. Farmed lobsters weighing at least 50 grams may still be exported if they meet requirements.
- When
- Trenggono announced the policy on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Indonesia.
- Why
- The government aims to increase the economic value of its marine resources and stop illegal shipments of lobster larvae.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
It will remain in place forever.
Law enforcement is the main priority. We must focus on enforcement first so that illegal activities can be stopped.
We are not looking to communicate for now. That can come later. Let’s focus on things at home first.
National farmed lobster production reached 437 tons.
National farmed lobster production rose to 481 tons.
Indonesia announced a shipment of 339.5 kilograms of farmed lobsters from a pilot project in Batam to Singapore.
Trenggono said Indonesia would permanently ban lobster larvae exports and launched a task force to combat illegal shipments.
- Regulation
- Ministerial Regulation No. 5/2026 amends Regulation No. 7/2024
- Enforcement
- Presidential Regulation No. 69/2026 provides the legal basis for the task force
- Larvae population
- Estimated at around 500 million a year
- 2026 production target
- 1,100 tons of farmed lobster
- Export threshold
- Farmed lobsters weighing at least 50 grams may be exported if they meet applicable requirements
Sources
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