Riau Islands Governor Wants To Make Natuna A National Fish Barn

PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

TANJUNGPINANG - Governor of the Riau Islands (Kepri) Ansar Ahmad has a great desire to make Natuna Regency a national fish barn for the western region.

"I want to discuss with the Natuna Regency Government. We will determine Natuna with a governor's regulation or something to become a national fish barn," said Ansar in Tanjungpinang, quoted by Antara, Friday, October 1.

Ansar is optimistic that this dream can be realized, especially since the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) has stated its readiness to build the infrastructure of the Ocean Port in Buton Bay.

"It will be a big port. We also offer it to Japanese investors and they respond positively," said Ansar.

According to him, there are several things that need to be prepared by the Riau Islands Provincial Government together with Natuna in welcoming the realization of the port, including increasing the competence of fishermen.

The ability of fishermen in Natuna needs to be improved, considering if there is assistance from large ships. The problem must be to provide ship captains from fishermen who can lead it.

"We have to send 50 to 60 fishermen who can carry a 30 GT boat," he explained.

This plan will soon be discussed with the Natuna Regent and his staff. It is planned that in the second week of October, Governor Ansar will visit Natuna and Anambas.

Meanwhile, the Chief Fisherman of Ranai, Natuna Herman, expressed his support for Governor Ansar's program.

However, he hopes that the Riau Islands Governor must first strengthen the facilities and infrastructure and human resources of fishermen so that they can compete with fishermen outside the region such as Java Island. Not to mention foreign fishing vessels (KIA) with sophisticated equipment often catch fish illegally in these waters. "The Vietnamese-flagged ship still steals a lot of fish in the Natuna sea," he said. In addition, he continued, Governor Ansar and his staff should make programs to empower local fishermen in order to improve the economy in the Riau Islands region, especially Natuna.

"Complete the supporting infrastructure for fishermen, whether it's mooring fishing boats, ice factories, fishing facilities, as well as training and fostering the human resources of local fishermen," said Herman.