(seafood.com) Indonesia is planning to boost its tuna fish exports further this year, after witnessing strong growth in 2011. The archipelago nation is one of the largest tuna fish producers in the ASEAN.
Indonesia's tuna fish exports reached 141,774 tons valued at $499 million last year, indicating an increase compared to the exports of 122,450 tons a year earlier. Most tuna shipments are destined for markets in the US and Japan.
Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sharif C. Sutardjo said that the country is experiencing rapid progress in tuna fish exports to considerably increase national income over the years. Income from tuna fish exports in 2009 was recorded at $352 million, a little below $383 million a year later.
The Indonesian government has said that it is seeking to increase its fish exports across the globe. The nation presently accounts for 26.2% of the world's fish production of 1.7 million tons.
The government has plans to develop Indonesia as the top producer of fish in the world by 2015. To achieve this goal, it is making preparations to develop fisheries and fishing-based cities.