KKP: Blue Economy Becomes A New Machine For National Economic Growth

As a maritime country, Indonesia has abundant marine natural resources, ranging from fisheries, energy to essential environmental services.

The Director General of Marine Spatial Planning of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Kartika Listriana assessed that this potential can be utilized not only for the provision of food and ecosystem protection, but also as a strategic locus for the development of new sectors.

"Indeed, in the future, this marine space can become one of the strategic loci for accelerating economic growth of 8 percent. This is what we have to balance," Kartika said at the National Marine Spatial Planning Workshop at the blue Carbon Ecosystem in Jakarta, Thursday, September 11.

Kartika added that global challenges such as climate change, marine pollution and overfishing demand wiser management of marine space. Without good governance, the potential for the blue economy can actually turn into a threat of sustainability.

Therefore, spatial planning is now an integral part of Indonesia's economic development strategy. The government wants to ensure that the sea is not only exploited, but also maintained to be sustainable.

"However, on the other hand, our sea also faces serious threats if it is not optimally controlled, especially from activities of exploitation of excessive natural resources, pollution of plastic waste and waste as well as overfishing and the impact of climate change," he said.

To support the economic growth target, the KKP has prepared five priority programs that are the foundation of the blue economy.

First, the expansion of marine conservation areas by 30 percent in 2045. Second, the application of measured fishing based on quotas to keep fish stocks sustainable.

Third, the development of sustainable marine cultivation, including on the north coast of Java, which is currently being prepared as a pilot area. Fourth, supervision and control of coastal areas and small islands to avoid environmental damage.

"Fifth, is cleaning up plastic waste at sea. So, currently the KKP will encourage a healthy beach program," he said.

Indonesia is not only preparing a domestic blue economy strategy, he continued, but also voicing this commitment in international forums.

In Our Ocean Conference 2025 in Busan, South Korea, as well as UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, the government affirms Indonesia's role as a major maritime country with a real contribution to mitigating global climate change.

One of the strategic steps is the development of 17 indicative locations of certain national strategic areas (KSNT) of blue carbon reserves. The location is designed to restore coastal ecosystems, especially mangroves and seagrass, which play an important role in absorbing carbon.

"Currently, 17 indicative locations for the zoning of certain national strategic areas for blue carbon reserves have been formulated, which will present national interests for the management of the blue carbon ecosystem," he added.