President Jokowi Pushes for Sea Product Management, Distribution in Biak Numfor Regency

President Jokowi inaugurates Modern Fishermen’s Village in Samber and Binyeri villages, Biak Numfor regency, Papua, Thursday (11/23). (Photo: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat)

Maritime development is a complex effort in managing marine resources and potentials, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“Maritime development is not only about the fishermen, our marine resources are not only about the fish,” said the President after inaugurating Modern Fishermen’s Village in Samber and Binyeri villages, Biak Numfor regency, Papua, Thursday (11/23).

President Jokowi explained that a lot of marine potentials that should be managed, among others, coral reefs, marine biota, as well as gas and oil deposited on the seafloor.

“I think our marine resources are huge, not to mention if we develop seaweed cultivation in all our coastal areas, it is a huge potential,” he added.

The Head of State stressed that it takes a good governance to manage it all, starting from enhancing fishermen’s capacity, up to creating modern management in managing Indonesia’s marine resources, including seaweed.

“So, it can enter national supply chain, it can enter global supply chain,” the President added.

Furthermore, on the occasion, President Jokowi also gave his response to marine potentials in Biak Numfor regency. He deemed that it needs logistic infrastructure development that is capable of distributing the sea products to the global market.

“So, the Regent has requested that there be direct flights, for instance, to Japan, USA, and China that have been the markets of tuna from Indonesia, no need second-hand or third-hand distributors,” he explained.

Therefore, President Jokowi estimated that the selling price of the sea products and the fishermen’s welfare can be improved. He also mentioned that he will ask the related ministries to follow it up.

“I will ask Minister for Transportation and Minister for State-Owned Enterprises to provide cargo direct flights to transport tunas according to the capacity in Biak and its surrounding areas,” he remarked. (TGH/UN)(AW/MUR)