East Tanjungjabung, Jambi – The high price of diesel fuel is making life hard for fishermen in Ujungjabung, Jambi.

Muchtar of Sungiitik village in East Tanjungjabung regency said the 30 kilograms of fish caught on his last trip did not cover his operational costs. "The fish can only be sold for Rp 6,500 (72 US cents) a kg," he said.

For three days at sea, Muchtar uses 30 liters of diesel fuel priced at Rp 5,000 a liter and pays for 10 kg of bait at 7,000 a kg – a total cost of Rp 220,000.

The 36-year-old said he had no other job options but fishing. "We just want the fuel price to go down so our lives can be easier."