Johan Rosihan reminds the threat of CS-137 for the future of the Indonesian Sea Food

Jakarta-secretary of the Prosperous Justice Party Faction (PKS) Johan Rosihan reminds the threat of radioactive exposure to Cesium-137 (CS-137) on frozen shrimp products from Indonesia. The exposure was discovered by the US Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (FDA). Johan was of the opinion that this finding not only shook the image of the execution of the national fisheries, but also public beliefs in the country’s seafood safety system. “Our sea food must be the backbone of national food security. But the CS-137 case actually shows the weakness of our supervision and policy,” Johan said in his statement, Friday (3/10/2025). Browse to continue with content based on data from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the contribution of the Fisheries to GDP of Indonesia has reached more than 3 percent, with an export value by a USD 5 billion a year. Shrimp, tuna and seaweed are excellent that provide protein needs in the country and world markets. Unfortunately, Johan said that the national food policy was still biased. The focus of development is more focused on rice, wheat and soybeans. In fact, seafood has the benefit of nutrition and sustainability that is much more promising. Johan, who is also a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission IV F-PKS, revealed that the concept of blue food or blue food in the international forum is recognized as a solution to the food crisis and climate. With this concept, Indonesia should be a pioneer. “But it requires clear political courage and policy,” Johan said. Johan has a warning bell of CS-137 amid the intense promotion of Indonesian sea products, saying the findings of CS-137 in frozen shrimp have become a loud blow. Not only a matter of export economy that is disrupted, but also the credibility of the national food security system. Because the Cesium-137 is a dangerous radioactive isotoper that usually stems from core activity. When you enter the human body through the food chain, the impact can be deadly: cancer, organ damage, even death. Even more serious, says Johan, Indonesia does not yet have a routine upliftment mechanism for radioactive pollution in seafood products. The quarantine, BPOM and quality laboratory agencies are not even equipped with dangerous isotop tracking technology. “This is a great void that can undermine the reputation of our seafood. The world is watching. If the government is not transparent, market confidence can disappear within a few weeks,” Johan said. Johan was of the opinion that the CS-137 case was only a technical incident that was wrong. Because sea feed in Indonesia is not a new story. This can be seen from the number of coastal areas directly by industrial areas, ports or mining. The water quality control system in coastal areas is still minimal. The weakness of the traceability system or product detection also exacerbates the situation. The origin of the product, the cultivation method, after the distribution channels is often not well recorded. If there is a case of infection, the search has become impossible. With regard to this case, Johan has called on the government to improve, ranging from the spatial planning of the sea, coastal management, to industrial regulations around the waters. Because without strict supervision, similar pollution can still be repeated. The House of Representatives asked for regulatory reforms in Senayan, the House of Representatives Commission IV has encouraged systemic reforms. The review of the fisheries, maritime law and food law becomes one of the options, so that the risk aspects of risk-based radioactive pollution in regulations in the regulations. Johan emphasized that the strengthening of the capacity of the quality test lab should be accelerated at the main port. ‘Many laboratories do not even have radiation tracking instruments. How do you want to compete in the world market? ‘ strict. In addition, Parliament encourages a greater budget allocation for seafood safety programs. During this time, says Johan, the part of this sector budget is still far from the needs of the field. Johan added, the CS-137 crisis also hit fishermen and small cultivars, contributing more than 90 percent of the national catch of fisheries. Because every time the price drops or a request drops, it becomes the earliest feeling that the impact is not the most important actors of the problem. Ironically, the continued Johan protection for small fishermen is still minimal. Access to financing, insurance, environmentally friendly fishing gear and cold chains are very limited. Johan said the state is obliged to give compensation, for example through a guarantee of basic prices or special incentives, so that fishermen do not only bear losses. “Fishermen must be involved in the quality control program. These are not objects, but important topics to maintain the quality of the sea,” he said. To restore confidence, Johan requested the government to take a number of strategic steps, including an extensive audit of the processing plant and export paths; Strengthening the international standard quality test lab. Then, the temporary moratorium on export from the problematic area; and broad education to fishermen and the community on food safety. Johan said that the World Food Day of this year should be the momentum of the blue revolution, which should not only make the sea a production source, but a pillar of food security based on sustainability, justice and safety. For according to him, the process of seafood to the dining table was not only exported, but also about the future of the nation. “The Constitution of 1945 is clear, the state must guarantee sufficient, safe and nutritious food. The CS-137 case is a reminder that the constitutional mandate should not be ignored,” he concluded. Also watch the video ‘How to make Fisher -letter technology to be safe for the sea’: (Anl/Ega)