New Hope Grows for Fishermen in South Leato’s Red-and-White Fishing Village

President Prabowo Subianto inspects Red-and-White Fishing Village in South Leato subdistrict on Saturday (5/9).

On the coast of South Leato subdistrict, Gorontalo city, the life of fishermen is about to change. In an area once characterized by limited fishing facilities, the Red-and-White Fishing Village has then established, bringing new hope to coastal communities. More than just a row of buildings and fishing facilities, this area symbolizes the state’s presence in addressing the real needs of fishermen, including ice block production, fish storage units, and operational supports for fishing.

This hope is even bigger when President Prabowo Subianto Saturday (5/9) personally visited the Red-and-White Fishing Village in South Leato. His presence in this coastal area signifies that marine sector development and fishermen’s welfare are a vital part of the national development agenda.

Suhardi Darisse, a South Leato’s fisherman who has depended his life on the sea for decades feels the real changes even since the facilities have begun operating. The fisherman, who has been fishing since he was a teenager, said that the fisherman’s basic needs are now much more accessible.

“It’s been very helpful for us, especially for the ice blocks. There were extra costs for transportation, but now, the car is here, the ice is delivered here by vehicles. Also, the price is lower than that in the city, which is Rp13,000 per block, but here it’s Rp6,500. So, this situation alone has helped us fishermen,” said Suhardi.

For net fishermen like him, ice blocks are essentially vital. Suhardi explained that fishing boats operate every night and require dozens of blocks of ice to maintain the quality of their catch.

“When the fishing season is good, one business unit needs up to 50 blocks of ice overnight. So, the demand for ice is indeed very significant,” he said.

Optimism is growing among the coastal communities of South Leato. Suhardi believes that the Red-and-White Fishermen’s Village will have a significant impact, not only on fishermen in his area but also on the surrounding area.

“I am very optimistic that this fishing village can help the entire fishing community, both in South Leato and the surrounding area,” he said.

Abdul Rahman Lamusu, Head of the Red-and-White Sub-district Cooperative-cum-Head of the Management of the Red-and-White Fishing Village in South Leato, also shared the similar opinion. He said that the area is managed directly by the sub-district cooperative as part of a coastal community empowerment program.

“This is indeed the President’s program, through the Red-and-White Sub-district Cooperative which will manage the Red-and-White Fishing Village,” said Abdul Rahman.

He said that the area is now equipped with various facilities to support fishing activities and meet the needs of fishermen. These include a management office, a fishermen’s workshop, a meeting hall, a supply kiosk, a cool box shelter, an ice factory, a frozen fish warehouse, a boat dock, a fish landing shelter, and a net repair area.

He said all members have begun utilizing the available facilities, especially the ice factory, which has been operational for the past two months. “Alhamdulilah, fishermen have taken advantage of the existing facilities, especially ice cubes for their fishing needs,” he said.

Abdul Rahman further explained that before the Red-and-White Fishermen’s Village existed, fishermen had to travel 8 to 10 kilometers just to buy ice blocks and fuel. “Now, there has been an ice factory built for fishermen,” he added.

Amidst the gentle sea breeze of South Leato, the Red-and-White Fishermen’s Village is now more than just a center of fishing activity. This area has instilled a new belief that fishermen’s welfare can be improved through close facilities, easy access, and direct management by local community. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (JAS/AW)