Sector
Fishery
Indonesia, boasting the title of the world’s largest archipelagic country with a vast sea area of 5.8 million square kilometers, stands as one of the largest producers and suppliers in the global fisheries market. The abundance of sea area provides Indonesia with a wealth of fisheries products, making fisheries a national leading sector in the country.
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Fishery
Indonesia, boasting the title of the world’s largest archipelagic country with a vast sea area of 5.8 million square kilometers, stands as one of the largest producers and suppliers in the global fisheries market. The abundance of sea area provides Indonesia with a wealth of fisheries products, making fisheries a national leading sector in the country.
There are 23 regions where fisheries stand out as a leading sector, supporting local economies and providing food security. These regions encompass Aceh, Bengkulu, Riau, Lampung, South Sumatra, Central Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan and North Kalimantan. Other regions include Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Maluku, North Maluku, Papua, West Papua, and Bangka Belitung.
In 2022, Indonesia’s fisheries sector contributed a total of Rp505 trillion to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Building this strong foundation, the country set an ambitious target of reaching US$7.2 billion in fishery exports by the end of 2023. Previously, total fishery product exports had hovered around US$5 billion to US$6 billion.
Supporting the sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP is its production. Throughout the third quarter of 2023, Indonesia’s fisheries production totaled 24.74 million tons. This figure includes both capture fisheries and aquaculture. In aquaculture, the main commodities are seaweed cultivation and shrimp cultivation, while in capture fisheries, the main commodities are tuna, skipjack tuna, and mackerel tuna.
Furthermore, Indonesia’s fisheries sector is experiencing a surge in investment. By the third quarter of 2023, the sector had attracted a total of Rp9.56 trillion in investment, with significant contributions from a mix of domestic sources at Rp5.32 trillion, foreign investors at Rp1.4 trillion, and credit sources at Rp2.84 trillion. Notably, China is the largest foreign investor, contributing Rp370.74 billion, followed by Malaysia with Rp240.4 billion, and Switzerland with Rp152.89 billion, highlighting the increasing international interest in Indonesia’s fisheries potential.
While Indonesia boasts impressive fisheries production and growing investments in its fisheries sector, it is vital to uphold fisheries regulations. These regulations ensure that this valuable sector thrives alongside healthy marine ecosystems. It is reported that Indonesia is scheduled to enforce a new fisheries policy in 2025, which will see quotas assigned to industrial, local, and non-commercial fishers across six designated fishing zones, covering all 11 fisheries management areas (FMAs) in Indonesia. The new quota system responds to a worrying rise in overexploited FMAs, which have increased to 53 percent from 44 percent in 2017.
Latest News
The Presidential Palace has partnered with the Indonesia New Media Forum (INMF) in a move it says could significantly expand its social media reach, potentially adding up to 100 million views per day.
Muhammad Qodari, head of the Government Communications Agency (Bakom), announced the initiative following a May 7 meeting with the group. He described INMF members as “homeless media,” referring to small, social media–based outlets that operate outside conventional institutional structures.
Typically run by one to five people, these outlets rely on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube rather than traditional websites to distribute content. Despite their limited organizational scale, many have built large followings, underscoring their growing presence in Indonesia’s digital media landscape.
The partnership appears to align with Qodari’s stated approach to government communication. Upon his appointment in late April, he said the administration would promote its programs “intensively, proactively and aggressively.”
Formed in July 2025, INMF provides a collaborative platform for social media-based publishers adapting to shifts in how audiences consume news and information. The latest announcement signals official recognition of the group’s role in that evolving environment.
The initiative also comes as President Prabowo Subianto adjusts his communications strategy. In April, he reinstated political consultant Hasan Nasbi as special adviser on communication. Hasan previously worked on the presidential campaigns of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in 2014 and 2019 and Prabowo in 2024.
Hasan had resigned as head of the presidential communication office in April 2025, reportedly due to internal differences. His return suggests continuity in shaping the administration’s public messaging.
He has said the INMF partnership does not constitute a formal working relationship between the government and its members. Rather, he described it as an effort to adapt official communication to current media consumption patterns, particularly on platforms that operate beyond traditional corporate frameworks.
More than a year and a half after Prabowo’s inauguration in October 2024, survey data show his approval rating remains above 70 percent, indicating sustained public support.
The President however continues to face criticisms, mostly online, although that digital space is also shrinking with reports of harassments against critics, mostly scholars and activists and a handful of critical media.
At the same time, the development highlights broader changes in the media ecosystem. Traditional print and broadcast outlets now share audience attention with a wide range of digital actors, including independent content creators, citizen journalists and online influencers.
Following Qodari’s remarks, several media organizations clarified their positions regarding INMF.
Narasi, founded by journalist Najwa Shihab, said it is not part of the forum and emphasized that it is registered with the Press Council and adheres to established journalistic standards.
Indozone, which targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, also stated that it remains independent and has no formal ties to the government. It added that its editorial staff have undergone professional competency certification. Qodari said the partnership would help expand the government’s public outreach. However, details regarding specific arrangements with INMF members were not elaborated, other than that participating outlets would have access to government information similar to conventional media and could receive support to improve reporting quality.
Many social media-based outlets do not have formal corporate structures, meaning they do not meet Press Council registration requirements and are not covered by protections under the 1999 Press Law. Nevertheless, many maintain verified social media accounts that signal authenticity to their audiences.
