There Is A Shrimp Festival In Banyuwangi, This Is The Goal

Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani saw firsthand a live cooking show by Chef Ragil Imam Wibowo on the sidelines of the Shrimp Festival. Saturday (7/9/2024) (ANTARA/HO-Humas Banyuwangi Regency Government)

BANYUWANGI - In an effort to encourage sustainable and environmentally friendly shrimp cultivation, the Banyuwangi Regency Government, East Java, is working with Indonesian Conservation to hold a Shrimp Festival.

The Shrimp Festival which was attended from business actors, shrimp farmers, culinary MSMEs to academics in the fisheries sector was held at the Taman Blambangan Cultural Art Center (Gesibu), Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, Saturday.

"One of the important things is how shrimp business actors can increase their production, but the environment is also maintained," said Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani when opening the Shrimp Festival, reported by ANTARA, Saturday, September 7.

He explained that the fisheries sector, including shrimp, contributed to the economy in Banyuwangi.

Therefore, continued Ipuk, various efforts need to be made to encourage shrimp cultivation by prioritizing an environmentally friendly and sustainable spirit.

"At this festival, education is held on the use of technology and environmentally friendly cultivation processes, such as using a wastewater treatment plant or (IPAL) zero antibiotics, utilization of technology and the application of good cultivation ponds," he said.

The Banyuwangi Regency Government and Indonesia's Conservation have accompanied hundreds of small-scale shrimp cultivators to encourage sustainable cultivation to obtain certificates.

Senior Ocean Program Advisor for Indonesian Conservation, Victor Nikijuluw, explained that the certificate related to the assurance of shrimp quality is useful for opening wider market opportunities for small-scale pond business actors who have a pond area of between a quarter to half a hectare.

"This certificate is important so that they can export and sell to large companies. With the certified selling price they also increase between Rp. 3,000 to Rp. 4,000 per kg," he said.

Victor added that sustainable shrimp cultivation is also important so that farmers can continue to exist, both in terms of ecology, culture, social, and tourism.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Banyuwangi District Fisheries Service, Suryono Bintang Samudra, said that Banyuwangi has an area of shrimp ponds of around 1,381 hectares.

"Criminal ponds are scattered in several sub-districts, and the two most dominating areas are Muncar and Wongsorejo sub-districts," he said.