Jayapura – The Department of Marine and Fisheries (DKP) of Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, has introduced a fisheries production development initiative focused on two key zones: marine and inland water resources.
Acting Head of the Jayapura Regency Department of Marine and Fisheries, Petrus Ohee, stated in Sentani on Thursday that this policy aims to improve community welfare while strengthening food security.
“We have designed programs based on the directives of the Regent of Jayapura, emphasizing the sustainable management of marine and inland water resources,” he said.
According to Petrus, these two zones include coastal and marine resources in the Depapre District, while the inland water resources focus on Lake Sentani, covering Sentani Barat and Sentani Timur Districts.
“The coastal zone will be developed for capture fisheries, marine ecotourism, and seaweed cultivation,” he explained.
Meanwhile, for the Lake Sentani area, the focus will be on freshwater fisheries and inland aquaculture development.
“In addition, technical training programs will be provided to fishermen to improve their fishing productivity using environmentally friendly equipment, along with the distribution of fish seeds,” he added.
He emphasized that this initiative is not only aimed at increasing production but also at creating job opportunities and reducing unemployment.
“These two zones will absorb local labor, from aquaculture processes to marketing, and will also encourage small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to participate in managing the fisheries sector,” he said.
In general, Papua’s fisheries potential is vast. According to the official website of the Papua Provincial Government, the province has a coastline stretching 1,170 nautical miles, with territorial waters covering 45,510 square kilometers, home to various economically valuable marine species.
The estimated sustainable marine fisheries potential is approximately 1,524,800 tons per year.
Meanwhile, inland fisheries production is estimated at around 268,100 tons per year, excluding the potential for marine and pond aquaculture development, which is projected to cover approximately 1,663,200 hectares.
