Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - The South Kalimantan Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine have certified 639 live lobsters before being shipped via Gusti Syamsir Alam Airport in Kotabaru to Jakarta.
“The hundreds lobsters are of three types, pakistani lobster, pearl lobster, and bamboo lobster. In order to be transported, lobsters must meet several criteria,” said Head of South Kalimantan Quarantine Erwin AM Dabuke in Banjarmasin, Wednesday.
The criteria include not in an-egg laying condition, and for Pakistani must have a carapace length of above six centimeters or a weight of more than 150 grams each.
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While for pearl and bamboo lobsters must have a carapace length of more than eight centimeters or a weight of more than 200 grams each.
“These hundreds of lobsters are the catch of local fishermen and are superior commodities in the coastal area of Kotabaru,” said Erwin.
According to him, lobster is fond of because it has a distinctive taste and high nutritional content, including protein, vitamin B12, and important mineral such as zinc and selenium.
Many restaurants and hotels, he said, put lobster as their mainstay menu to attract customers. The increasing awarenss of healthy lifestyle by consuming nutritious seafood also drives market demand.
Here, Quarantine has an important role in ensuring the safety and suitability of commodities being sent, so it helps increase market confidence in the destination area.
“Officers conduct inspection to ensure that lobster commodities are free from quarantine fish pest (HPIK), while also meet applicable food quality and safety standard so they are safe and suitable for consumption,” said Erwin.
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