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The Jayawijaya Regency Government has budgeted Rp5.6 billion in 2025 to improve freshwater fisheries development in the regency. Acting Jayawijaya Regency Fisheries Service Head Lekius Yikwa stated in Wamena Disrict, Jayawijaya Regency, Highland Papua Province on Mar. 24, 2025, that the focus is on developing freshwater fisheries, as the province is inland.
"Highland Papua does not have a sea, so the focus is on how to increase freshwater fish production for groups and individual fish farmers in Jayawijaya Regency," he said.
Lekius added that the usual form of support to develop fisheries is the provision of seeds, fish feed and nets.
"Usually the distribution is carried out in stages to groups and individual freshwater fish farmers in Jayawijaya Regency," he explained.
Lekius elaborated that support is regularly provided to freshwater fish farmers whose businesses are growing. Meanwhile, the aid is usually not continued for those whose businesses do not develop.
"Every time assistance is given, farmers are always reminded that it is only a trigger to keep them enthusiastic [and that] we will monitor the progress. If it [their fisheries business] develops, then further assistance will be provided," he said.
In addition to providing assistance, the technical team usually visits each group of freshwater fish farmers to provide education on how to properly care for fish.
"The better the way of caring for freshwater fish, the more satisfying the results will be," Lekius noted.
He said that the fish assistance was distributed to each group or individual fish farmers include 100-200 Nile or Mozambique tilapia.
"The number of [fish farming] groups or individuals in the 40 districts of Jayawijaya Regency is large, we don't remember [the exact number at the moment]. Hence, the assistance is given in stages so that everyone gets a share," Lekius concluded.
