KKP Encourages Increased Exported Anchovy Production On Pasaran Island

Deputy Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Didit Herdiawan (right) interacts with residents on Pasaran Island, Bandar Lampung, Lampung. (ANTARA/HO-Humas KKP)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is committed to increasing export quality anchovy production on Pasaran Island, Bandar Lampung, to support the fisheries sector and encourage local economic growth.

Deputy Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Didit Herdiawan, in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday, said that this step could be realized by empowering local women to be able to produce high-quality anchovy products.

"The Market Island is known as one of the best inland producers in Indonesia. Its processed products for exports can be an additional source of income for fishermen's families," said Didit after meeting with local residents on Pasaran Island, Bandar Lampung.

He explained that women's empowerment in the area can be done through collaboration with the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPPA). The goal is to improve business skills and create products based on local wisdom.

"It is very important for mothers here to improve their skills, so that they can produce products with added value and increase family income," he added.

Didit also reminded that the facilities provided by the KKP on Pasaran Island, which are now Modern Fishermen's Village (Kalamo), are optimized to increase the economic value of the community.

"Good management can help fishermen face difficult times and maintain market stability. Therefore, the management of anchovies on Pasaran Island must be carried out optimally," he explained.

In line with this, the Director General of Strengthening the Competitiveness of Marine and Fishery Products (PDSPKP) KKP, Budi Sulistiyo, explained the results of monitoring the economic impact on 21 members of fisheries cooperatives on Pasaran Island.

He revealed that the average production of anneal processing in the region reaches 2-5 tons per month, with turnover ranging from IDR 20 million to IDR 50 million per month.

In the process, an anchovy processing business can involve 10-20 workers, who are tasked with sorting, cleaning, drying, and packaging. Currently, anchovy products from Pasaran Island are widely marketed to Jakarta and Lampung.

"Since being inaugurated as Kalamo, we have continued to monitor developments here. This is part of the government's efforts to be present for coastal communities," said Budi.

He also encourages fisheries cooperatives to be more innovative in expanding the market, both domestically and internationally.

During his visit to Lampung, Deputy Minister Didit also visited the Office of the Lampung Marine and Fisheries Product Quality Control and Supervision Agency (BPPMHKP). In the technical service unit (UPT), he emphasized the importance of improving public services and synergy between work units to accelerate the resolution of community problems, especially in an effort to achieve food self-sufficiency.

The Modern Fishing Village (Kalamo) program is part of a blue economy initiative initiated by the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono. This program aims to increase fishermen's productivity through the provision of fishery infrastructure. Apart from Pasaran Island, Kalamo has also been built in Biak, Papua.