Minister Trenggono Calls The Wakatobi Seaweed Pilot Project Built This Year

Minister of KP Sakti Wahyu Trenggono (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono is targeting a pilot project/modelling of seaweed commodities in Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi covering an area of 400 hectares starting this year. "This year too (the development target)," Trenggono said quoting Antara.

The project in Wakatobi will serve as a model for seaweed cultivation in other regions, the same as regional-based shrimp farming ponds (BUBKs) that can be imitated in other areas by various groups. Trenggono revealed, in the seaweed cultivation project it will prioritize environmental sustainability, namely by utilizing coconut fibers as a substitute for plastic ropes to bind seaweed. "Well, we have made it in Wakatobi using coconut shells, so first he can make it several times use and then he is also environmentally friendly because it does not become micro plastic," he explained.So we give a loan until they harvest how many times it is cut. Various methods, but definitely cheaper," he said. KKP targets domestic aquaculture commodity to be able to dominate the export market within the next 5 to 10 years.

There are five leading commodities that are the focus of the KKP, namely shrimp, lobster, crab, seaweed, and tilapia. As previously reported, the Director General of Aquaculture at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) TB Haeru Rahayu revealed that there would be a modern pilot project for seaweed commodities in Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi. "Proyeks like this (projects) in Wakatobi and Southeast Maluku. But in Wakatobi first because the Regent is the fastest response," he said.