CHILLING PROBLEM FOR FISHING INDUSTRY
"We just want things to go back to the way they were and get on with our lives," said Hasanuddin.
However, others are optimistic and have chosen to see the tsunami as a blessing in disguise.
Fisherman and Aceh seafood exporter Ismed Ubit, 52, said he hopes that the influx of foreign aid can help them purchase better storage equipment and other advanced technology.
"With their help, we could buy big electronic freezers instead of relying on the old icebox methods," he said.
In fact, foreign aid agency Mercy Corporation also opened a mobile ice factory in Meulaboh for operation in early September. At maximum capacity, the mobile factory is capable of producing 1,800 kilograms of ice per day. To cope with the lack of readily available fresh water sources, the new factory has been equipped with machinery that can freeze both saltwater and fresh water. Construction of permanent infrastructure to house the 615 million rupiah worth of equipment is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and locals will be taught to operate and maintain the new machinery over the next two months.
Although the rise in oil prices has increased the operational costs of the generator- run ice factory, it is still profitable for the locals. The local operators are only required to pay for fuel and transport costs to run the mobile factory.
"For now, it's a loan," said Bambang Witjaksana, 37, head of Mercy Corporation's Fishery department, "but we plan to donate all the equipment to the locals once they are ready to receive the machinery has theirs."
The new factory is expected to be fully run by locals by December this year.
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