Unocal to negotiate fishermen's compensation demand

The management of Unocal Indonesia is ready to negotiate the demand from fishermen near their operation area in East Kalimantan to receive compensation from the company' seismic survey plan, local newspaper Kaltim Post reported on Wednesday.

Unocal's Manager for Communication and Government Relations, Usman Selamet, said in Balikpapan on Tuesday that the company and the fishermen had agreed to talk over the compensation demand next week.

The oil company plans to close the sea in its offshore oil concession area in East Kalimantan from fishing activities to make away for the company's seismic survey works in the location.

The fishermen agree to stop their fishing activities if they are given compensation from the loss of fishing opportunities due to the survey works. Through the local fishermen association, they demand a compensation of Rp 500,000 per day for the owner of modern fishing trap and Rp 200,000 for the owner of traditional fishing trap. (*)