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Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry Inaugurates SKPT Saumlaki
WINDONESIA September 11, 2024
Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono inaugurating the Saumlaki SKPT in Tanimbar Islands Regency, Maluku. (Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry)
Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono inaugurated the Saumlaki Integrated Marine Fisheries Center (SKPT) in Tanimbar Islands Regency, Maluku Province on Sep. 5, 2024. The presence of the SKPT is expected to support the growth of Maluku's fisheries industry.
The construction of the fisheries infrastructure on an area of 2.12 hectares has been underway since 2022 with a value of around Rp122 billion. Trenggono said that his ministry would also bring in a market to complement SKPT Saumlaki's operation.
"I will present the market, [and investors] will come here soon. That market is important because it will be a problem if (upstream) production runs well later, but the market does not absorb [the products] properly. That is why we will completely present it completely," said Minister Trenggono at SKPT Saumlaki.
Investors, Trenggono added, are interested in building an industry in Tanimbar because of the great potential for fisheries, especially tuna commodities in the waters of Maluku and nearby regions. Moreover, the demand for fishery products in the global market continues to increase.
The annual production of Tanimbar Islands capture fisheries has reached 13,000 MT based on Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data, with the main commodities being tuna, including skipjack tuna, and demersal fishes.
The existence of integrated fisheries facilities at SKPT Saumlaki, such as integrated cold storage, ice factories, fish auction places, and docks that can accommodate large tonnage ships, are also reasons why business actors are interested in investing there.
"Our goal in initiating this is so that the fisheries industry will develop here in the next few years. So do not worry, the [accompanying] market could hopefully be realized soon. The [Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry's] Capture Fisheries Director-General will follow up on this. The investment is a combination, from within and outside the country," he explained.
Minister Trenggono also ensured the involvement of the community and local fishermen in supporting the fisheries industry that will run later. The presence of the industry will have an impact on the opening of new jobs, absorption of fishermen's catches, and added value of the resulting fisheries products.
Meanwhile, Japan International Cooperation Agency Chief Representative Sachiko Takeda gave his appreciation for the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry's construction of the Saumlaki SKPT. Sachiko hopes that the construction of the SKPT can help improve the welfare of fishermen as well as provide added value to their fishery products.
"We still have further projects for fishermen together with the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry," he said.
Source: www.indopos.co.id