Raja Ampat - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka reviewed the Merah Putih Fishing Village in Raja Ampat Regency, West Papua, which is scheduled to start operating in May 2026. During the visit, Gibran appreciated the facilities that had been built, while emphasizing the need for evaluation and addition of supporting facilities.
"This fishing village will operate in May. I know there are still many shortcomings and things that must be evaluated, but this is better than before," said Gibran, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, April 22.
He assessed that the existence of facilities such as ice factories, cold storage, and other supporting facilities is an important step in maintaining the quality of fishermen's catch. However, according to him, development still needs to continue so that the area can function as a more complete fishing industry.
Gibran called the Red and White Fishermen Village a pilot project that could potentially be replicated in other areas that rely on the capture fisheries sector.
"We will make this a pilot first. If it goes well, we will develop and replicate it in other places," he said.
The Vice President also asked the cooperative managers to prepare detailed budget plans and needs as a basis for financing support from the government.
"It must be calculated in detail, not approximately. What are the needs of cooperative members, what are the shortcomings, it must be clear," he said.
In addition, Gibran encouraged further development, including the use of solar energy (solar cells) and the development of fish processing and canning industries to increase the added value of marine products.
He also highlighted the importance of arranging local markets to be more viable and representative as part of the fishing economy ecosystem.
The government, continued Gibran, will continue to oversee the development of the Fishing Village through cross-ministerial and agency coordination, including the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of the Development of Special Autonomy for Papua, to ensure that the program has an impact on improving the welfare of fishermen sustainably.
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