Maluku work to optimize tuna production from three WPPs

The Maluku Provincial Government is striving to optimize the potential of three fisheries management areas (WPP) to produce the best tuna that can meet export standards to the international market.

"Maximizing the potential of fisheries resources in Maluku Province, especially tuna, is spread across three WPPs, namely WPP 714 Banda Sea, WPP 715 Seram Sea and WPP 718 Aru Sea," said Maluku Province Regional Secretary Sadali Ie in Ambon City, Maluku Province on May 25, 2025.

Sadali explained that the three WPPs are potential areas for national tuna production, and have been included in the national plan for managing tuna, skipjack tuna, and mackerel tuna capture fisheries based on Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister's Decree No. 107/KEPMEN-KP/2015; which has been aligned with the 2025-2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).

"The dominant type of tuna is yellow fin tuna, which has so far been caught traditionally using small-scale fishing gear, and its quality is able to compete in the international market," he said.

He explained that several efforts were made to optimize tuna production in WPP 714, which include increasing the work capacity of fishermen, improving fish landing infrastructure, and increasing supervision of illegal fishing.

Meanwhile, efforts to optimize tuna capture in WPP 715 include increasing research and development of fishing technology and increasing cooperation between fishermen and the fish processing industry.

In WPP 718, work to optimize capture fisheries production encompass improving supporting infrastructure, such as fishing ports and fish processing facilities, and increasing supervision of illegal fishing.

The Maluku Provincial Government is also optimizing fisheries production by realizing the Maluku Integrated Port Development Programm which has now been included in one of three national strategic projects (PSNs) in the region. The Maluku Integrated Port is designed to support industrial activities, distribution, trade, logistics management, as well as loading and unloading activities in an integrated manner

Sadali said that the construction of said integrated port is expected to increase interest in tuna production from Maluku.