Red and White Fishermen’s Village Promotes Fishermen’s Welfare and Coastal Economy in Papua
Papua — The development of the Red and White Fishermen’s Village in Papua has become one of the government’s strategic steps to strengthen the coastal economy while improving the welfare of fishing communities. The program is designed to maximize Papua’s marine potential, as the region is known for its vast waters and abundant fish resources. Through planned and integrated development, the government aims to make the fisheries sector a driving force for regional economic growth.
The Red and White Fishermen’s Village is equipped with various supporting facilities designed to increase fishermen’s productivity. These infrastructures include boat mooring docks, ice factories, fish storage warehouses, seafood-based culinary centers, and training halls for fishermen. The presence of these facilities is expected to facilitate fishermen’s activities while improving the quality and economic value of their catch.
Papua Governor Matius D. Fakhiri assessed that the development of fishermen’s villages is an important step in strengthening the marine economic ecosystem in Papua. The Papua Provincial Government has even proposed around 200 locations considered ready for the development of the program.
“Papua has enormous marine potential because most of its territory consists of waters rich in fish resources. If managed properly and integrated with the fisheries industry, this potential can provide significant economic benefits for the community,” said Matius.
He added that strengthening the fisheries sector should not only focus on fishing activities but also on developing seafood processing industries to create added value for coastal communities.
Support for the program also comes from the central government. The Director General of Capture Fisheries at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Lotharia Latif, stated that Papua has great potential for the development of modern fishermen’s villages.
“With adequate facilities, fishermen can manage their catch more effectively while increasing the economic value of fishery products. This will also open up new job opportunities for coastal communities,” said Lotharia.
As an initial stage, the development of the Red and White Fishermen’s Village began in Samberbinyeri, Biak Numfor Regency, which has been designated as a pilot area. In the future, the area is expected to become a model for modern and competitive fisheries-based coastal economic development.
This program is part of the national target to develop one thousand fishermen’s villages across Indonesia. With the support of both central and regional governments, the Red and White Fishermen’s Village in Papua is expected to strengthen fishermen’s independence while encouraging Papua to become one of the centers of marine economic growth in Indonesia.
