Plastic pollution in Indonesian ports. Image by Anton Wisuda/Mongabay Indonesia
Today’s story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is in its entirety (with typos outside of quotes corrected)
Fishermen Getting Paid to Collect Plastic Trash at Sea, As Indonesia Slashes Pollution
In Indonesia, small-time fishermen are being paid as part-time ocean cleanup crews as the archipelago seeks to tidy their seas and raise awareness among stakeholders at the same time.
The Ministry of Fisheries announced on October 4th that they had stashed around $70,000, or 1 billion rupiahs, to pay fishermen for any plastic trash they recovered from the oceans.
Many countries around the world are setting environmental or climate goals for themselves. One of the largest contributors of ocean-going plastic waste, Indonesia is looking to shake off that reputation by spending $1 billion over the next 3 years to reduce plastic entering the oceans from their shores by 70%.
If an Indonesian fisherman working off the main islands can collect 4 kilograms of trash per day, the government will pay out around $10 for it, which is slightly more than they would get if they spent their day catching fish to sell at market prices.
“This activity is very simple,” Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, the fisheries minister, said at a press conference in Jakarta. “But at least this will raise awareness among the stakeholders at sea and the people around the world.”
“The most important thing is prevention,” Sakti said. “If we can properly conduct prevention, then there shouldn’t be any waste in the sea. Because once the trash gets to the sea, then it’s already damaged.”
Indonesia is located in one of the fastest-developing regions on the planet, economically speaking, and the use of plastic waste has outpaced the installation of recycling infrastructure, especially on the smaller islands.
According to the UK’s Pew Trust, 95% of all fishing activities are small-scale. Small fisheries can’t absorb costs from things like ocean pollution or additional taxes like large-scale fisheries can, making this bottom-up approach to ocean cleanup uniquely suited to Indonesia.
Furthermore, Indonesia is surrounded by some of the most biodiverse shallow seas on earth, a Mecca for divers and snorkelers who aren’t interested in wading through plastic while they do it.
The good news here is a major plastic pollution contributor is taking steps to reverse the behavior. Today’s JohnKu talks about stepping up to the plate. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.
Amends by John W. Howell © 2022
It takes a big heart,
To admit bad behavior . . .
And then correct it.
Fiction Favorites 
Let’s hope all other countries follow suit, John 😃
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We can only hope, Chris. Thanks. 😊
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I hate seeing waste like that, land or sea. Nice to see someone doing something about it. Thanks for the Fri-Yay post, John.
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Especially a big offender. Thanks, Staci.
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Great project! A win-win for all.
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I think so too. Thanks, Joan.
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Very cool. Though I wonder what they do with it afterwards. How do you permanently get rid of plastic?
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Would be a good follow up story. Thanks, Charles.
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This is a wonderful thing. Thanks for sharing John.
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Thank you , Jill. I agree. 😊
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What a heartening story! Thank you for sharing, John, and for offering a great haiku. 😊
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Aww you are kind to say so, Gwen. Thanks.
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I especially like how at the end you say, ‘Admit bad behavior and the correct it.’
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Too few are willing to do that, GP. Unfortunately. Thanks. 😊
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I hate that we got to this point, but I’m glad to see someone trying to remedy the problem.
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Plastic in the oceans is a terrible problem. The stuff never goes away.
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I tried to work some of that into the scenery in Grinders, but it wasn’t the main story.
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😊
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Good for the Indonesian government! Love today’s JohnKu as well.
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Thank you, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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It sounds like a start. Hopefully there is a long term plan to reuse and recycle this material and keep it from ending up in the ocean.
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Hopefully. Thanks, John
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Good news indeed! I love it. Good for Indonesia for making the investment. Thanks for the smile, John.
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Always a good thing to smile about. Thanks, Diana.
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I love your JohnKu today. Words of wisdom for each of us to remember and live by.
So glad Indonesia has recognized their situation and is taking steps to correct it. Happy Friday, John!
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I am glad they are stepping up, Mae. I hope they become an example. Thanks.
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Great story, John. I read an article this week where scientists think they’ve found Bacteria that can eat plastic. The waste product is an edible protein that they say humans can eat. Not sure I like the thought of eating it, though, lols. But a great way to eliminate all that plastic. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful weekend 💕🙂
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That sounds amazing, Harmony. I can see it now. “Here’s your bacteria protein , Sir. Will there be anything else?” “No I think this will do.” 🤢
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😂🤢😂
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🤣
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It is indeed! I hope they clean up their beaches and sea and continue to do so.
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I do too, Deborah. Thanks.
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Thanks for sharing, John. This is a step in the right direction. One step at a time.
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I agree, Tim. Thank you
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Thanks for sharing, John. It is nice to see someone trying to stem the ever-rising tide of trash. More and more corporations are also working towards making their products bio-degradable where possible. Those are steps in the right direction also.
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I agree, Bruce. 😁
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What a phenomenal step! I hope the idea takes hold elsewhere. In the meantime, if anyone wants to contribute to a company that is collecting plastic in many places around the world, check out 4 Ocean, which has organized volunteer cleanup events in a number of countries. The company has a “One Pound Promise”, which promises that, at a minimum, one pound of ocean waste is removed per item sold. Not a bad idea since there was a recent report that microscopic bits of plastic are now found in people’s blood.
See: http://www.4ocean.com
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Thank you for sharing, Noelle.
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“Plastic Fantastic Lover”, love your JohnKu!
There is so much plastic to clean up, it’s almost defeating. Prevention is of utmost importance.
So, we know this, and so we recycle. Yet, where I live black plastic is NOT recyclable. Still, many restaurants use black plastic containers with clear lids. There are other products using black plastic. I boycott any restaurant or product using black plastic.
Why would they still do that, when it’s such a simple change to make? Anyway, instead of 🐂en & 💋es, I submit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1Hvp1Z10TIx
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I could go for that. Maybe we switch to vinyl though.
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Hmm, vinyl… like the old records?
I’m going to look and see what makes vinyl.
Double use is a good idea.
You order take-out. It comes in a vinyl container. When you are finished, simply wash it, slice where instructed (using blunt nose paper scissors) and throw it on your turntable!
Your song will be a random surprise.
oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
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Well the song is about a plastic lover and I thought maybe vinyl might be more modern . I do like your record idea though. oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
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Seems vinyl is as naughty as plastic.
“Vinyl is not a natural substance but is a synthetic man-made material. It is a type of plastic that is made from ethylene (found in crude oil) and chlorine (found in regular salt). When processed, both the substances are combined to form Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) resin, or as is commonly referred to – Vinyl.”
We need another something to be more modern.
Still, you could be my “Vinyl Primal Lover”.
All we need now is for someone to write the song! Shouldn’t be long now.
Waiting…………………………
💋🐂💋🐂💋🐂💋🐂
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💋🐂💋🐂💋🐂💋🐂
Here is a start
My vinyl primal lover
you sit looking at me.
There is no primal other,
You’re the only one I see.
I wish you could say more,
than those ten little words.
I bought you at the store,
black Friday with the hoards.
The deal was a final sale,
And no mention of returns.
So never mind my sad tale,
A heart for you still yearns.
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Aww, This is so lovely!
My primal, vinyl lover!
Well why not?
I can be as primal as any vinyl!
X Rated Comment!!!!!
❌ -suited for adults only.
♨️ whew!!!!
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H ha ha. Love it. 🐂💋
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🐂💋
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💋🐂
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Good to hear they are cleaning up after themselves!
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Yes it is.
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I love that idea. A good beginning solution to a serious environmental problem.
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Yes it is. 😁
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[…] collect dolls, and I’m sure they have their reasons but am grateful that no one I know has them. John Howell – you can read the rest of this post here: […]
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Thanks for the mention, Robbie
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How eay and smart
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Yes indeed.
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Your words say it all! It is sad that we must pay people to clean up their mess but these are people that are making a living from cleaning up everybody else’s mess. Kudos to them.
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Yes. I agree.
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Good luck to Indonesian fishermen! Good guys! Let’s us follow their example. Thank you, dear John!
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Yes let’s hope they are very successful.
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I’m still continuing my mission to reduce single-use plastic in whatever way I can (courtesy of the Green Stars Project that put me more on that path!)…
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Good for you, Willow. Thanks for sharing.
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Anything we can do to get plastics out of the oceans is a step in the right direction. Wonderful to hear this.
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I agree, Teri.
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Proactivity, thy name is love. I’m glad more companies are owning their missteps and then taking matters into their own hands. Great story Sheriff.
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Thanks, Pilgrim.
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Good for them! Thanks, John, for passing along this good news (and for a really nice Haiku!!)
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Thank you, Debbie. 😁
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I appreciate their efforts, but it’s also rather sad that we have to resort to measures like this just to do the right thing.
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At least the Indonesians are making an effort. They really need to be doing something.
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Fabulous! I’d love to see more of these efforts everywhere! Thanks, John!
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Me too. Especially in third world countries.
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There are so many ways to beat this.
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True.
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It is wonderful to see a country take itself to task in this way. Kudos to them! And thank you for sharing this wonderful bit of news.
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Thank you, Dale.
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😊
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😊
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Wonderful!!!
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😁
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Great news and such a wonderful story, John. Love your words, too.
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Thank you, Lauren
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My gosh, that photo is horrifying. I can’t imagine being so accustomed to seeing that much trash in the water. Great way for fishermen to earn more income. That’s wonderful news!
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Thank you, Betsy.
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Great program and sad that only by getting paid will anyone do anything about cleaning up the polluted waters. But it’s a start. 🙂
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Yes it is. Thank you, Debby. 😊
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Years ago, my friends and I were on camping trip to Sumbawa. I was amazed of the harbor condition on the very west of the island. Almost clean!
And months ago, I was in Labuan Bajo and smiled while looking to the harbor, because it was also almost clean from plastic waste.
While in the end of 2015, the old harbor was a mess.
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So, good to hear. Thanks for sharing.
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