A very expert ramble over much important detail, yet one that is blinkered by being constrained within its narrow discipline. The need to address a multitude of necessary problems is expressed; yet no wholistic approach has been taken, providing no expectation of long-term improvement.

how can there be any improvement? growing populations need more food. every time oz navy catches an indo fishing boat, 10 families commence to starve. this is only going to get worse.

Australia has a total fertility rate (average births per woman) of 1.8, yet can't organise itself to adequately look after (at the standards we expect) the health and education needs of those between birth and adult-hood; and imports the services of professionals trained overseas.

Indonesia has a total fertility rate of about 2.2. At above the replacement rate of 2.1 the pressure of the needs of its youth continually increases. And the total population continues to expand.

East Timor's total fertility currently stands at 8.1, swamped by a preponderance of young people in need of education, training, places of employment, and the multitude of needs that youth should have. At current rates, its population will double in about 13 years.

Demos, you have a point - a somewhat more wholistic view of the region's problems than that of the author. No matter how much improvement is made to fisheries, stocks will always be behind the needs of the population if such an individual problem is taken in isolation.

DEMOS said.. "10 families begin to starve" ? rubbish mate :) you have little idea how these communties work.

The reality is..there are enough fish for subsistence fishing in the closer areas. I've seen the incredible catches these fishermen bring back.. beauuuutiful snapper.. etc.. but lets be clear.. these Indonesian fishermen are taking..

*SHARK FIN*

and for sale to feed non hungry fat cats in Asian resturants.
They kill the sharks by lopping off their fins, and dump the carcas in the sea.. SHARK FIN... ok.. its purely commercial...not about getting 'food'.
Its about getting a sattelite dish, a wide screen TV (and don't think they cannot be found in the 'ramshakle seaside dwellings' of the fishermen. It also might fund a bigger better house... an extension...

BUT IT'S ILLEGAL and it is ENVIRONMENTAL terrorism. Ruthless uncaring short sighted exploitation.

<<In Thailand’s most important fishing ground, the Gulf of Thailand, the density of fish declined by 86 per cent from 1961 to 1991. The fish are now smaller, of different types and less valuable. Sixty per cent of the Gulf of Thailand trawl catch is sold as “trash fish” to fishmeal manufacturers>>

Sorrrrry.. noCanDo for our fishing grounds... it's a simple 'matter of time' b4 we become like them...if we don't clamp down.

SOLUTION

1/ Make the issue about FOOD.
2/ The Indonesian government can embark on widespread aquaculture projects for its people..problem solved :) OOps..wait..i 4got..its about SHARKFIN and the dollars for the sattelite dishes.

The Malaysian government has done this, and my wifes people benefit from it. *yummy*