Ahead Of Ramadan, DPR Asks KKP To Anticipate Rise In Demand For Fishery Commodities

Fish Market/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - Commission IV of the House of Representatives asked the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) to swiftly anticipate a surge in demand for fishery commodities, especially ahead of Ramadan and Eid. It is known, in less than one month citizens will undergo fasting.

Member of Commission IV of the DPR RI, Johan Rosihan, ensures that the need for fish consumption at this time will increase. He estimates demand to reach 2.64 million tons, an increase of about 10 to 20 percent compared to other months.

"I remind the KKP to anticipate various possibilities with the right policies. Don't be complacent with estimates of sufficient fish supply, because many factors that are out of control often cause fish supply to be disrupted," Johan told reporters, Thursday, March 24. This PKS politician also reminded the KKP that although the estimated production and availability of fish is estimated to be sufficient to meet the needs of the fasting month and Eid, there are several things that the KKP must pay attention to regarding the availability of fish stocks nationally.

“The KKP must be aware of the effects of the El Nino phenomenon, which will potentially lead to fish stock leakage. And now KKP must prepare a good fishing fleet to be able to reach the exclusive economic zone in order to optimize fish stocks," said Johan. In addition, Johan encouraged KKP to accelerate national fishery investment so that it had a significant impact on the economy. With the potential for marine and fishery commodities that complete, according to him, Indonesia should not be left behind in terms of investment.

"For this reason, I always encourage the KKP to accelerate the rate of fishery investment by improving fishery statistics and always encouraging local resource-based fisheries," explained Johan.

The NTB legislator assessed that there must be a commitment from all parties to increase the budget for the marine and fisheries sector in order to boost the national maritime potential to be more advanced.

KKP, said Johan, must work harder to realize various priority programs. Such as structuring fishing villages, revitalizing people's salt businesses, increasing assistance to fishermen, improving capture fisheries infrastructure and fish cultivation, as well as increasing the added value of fishery commodities. "We also certainly appreciate the various efforts made by the KKP, in particular the efforts to reorganize the fishery system, efforts to increase fish stocks and supplies and improve the regional economy by optimizing local advantages in the marine and fisheries sector," he said.

"We hope that all priority programs will lead to improving the welfare of fishermen, fish farmers and fish cultivators as well as the marine and fisheries community in general," concluded Johan.