Constrained By Frozen Warehouse Facilities, KKP Maximizes Fish Absorption In Aceh

Fisheries (photo: dock. Antara)

\JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) maximizes the absorption of fish caught by fishermen at Lampulo Port, Aceh. The reason is, currently the cold storage in Banda Aceh with a total capacity of 1,630 tons is almost 100 percent filled.

Director General of Strengthening Competitiveness for Marine and Fishery Products (PDSKPKP) Budi Sulistyo said, in addition to cooperating with the Fish Processing Unit (UPI), his party encourages fish flour producers to absorb fish that are not suitable for consumption

"Alhamdulillah, one of the UPIs, namely PT Triguna Lestari Sejahtera from Jakarta, has made initial purchases of 500 tons per Sunday, May 5, 2024," Budi said in a written statement, quoted Wednesday, May 8.

Budi said that his party had established communication with the Fish Flour Processing Unit outside Banda Aceh City, such as PT Toba Surimi Indonesia, PT fire and CV Horizon from Sibolga.

"We continue to guard this, because we believe that all parts of the fish can be processed, including fish that are not suitable for consumption, it can be used as a material for fish flour or feed," he said.

He explained that fishing vessels in Banda Aceh, which measure 30 gross tons (GT) to 100 GT, do not yet have cold storage. Thus, fishermen only rely on ice supplies to preserve catch. Thus, it is found that fish cannot be sold because of their down quality.

According to Budi, efforts to increase the cold storage capacity on ships for those who make relatively long arrests are important in maintaining the quality of fish since they were caught.

"The funding constraints that may be faced in completing these facilities and infrastructure need to be supported through facilitation of ease of sharia financing according to qanun," he concluded.