West Papua, especially some regions there like Bintuni Bay, Nusabier, Warundi, and Auri Island, has a huge potential in the sector of fishery.
Just look at how rich the region is with many kinds of fish and other marine biota. In fact, there has been a successful fishing industry going on in the province. Read the brief story below!
Fishery Resources in West Papua
Based on the data of WWF Bioregion Sahul Papua, West Papua is rich with its marine biodiversity and they include green turtles,
Whale sharks, olive turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and humpback whales. These fishery resources can all be found in Bintuni Bay and Arafuru Sea.
In fact, there are also other sea animals that can be discovered, such as molluscs consisting of 196 species within 56 families.
Some of which are scale clams, giant clams, shellfish, lolas, stone actions, and tritons. They are all West Papua’s fishery resources that are officially protected by the government.
Visitors of West Papua can also see about 209 species of fish within 65 families. The protected ones include sea mammals such as dolphins and dugongs.
Meanwhile in Nusabier Island, you may as well find the unique estuarine crocodiles and star fruit turtles and hawksbill turtles in Warundi Island as well as the islands of Auri. They are indeed one of a kind!
Moreover, there are also potential fishery resources in Fakfak and Kaimana waters. One of the popular ones is flying fish.
Especially in Patar and Pisang Islands in Fakfak Regency, you can find many species of flying fish. Their territory from the mainland reaches five to 40 miles in the sea.
The Management of West Papua’s Fishery and Fishing Industry
In several parts of West Papua, especially Bintuni Bay, a lot of local fishermen earn their living by catching fish with simple gill nets.
This is such an obstacle as there is a report that there have only been 210 to 248 tons of fish caught each year. As a matter of fact, fishery resources should ideally be use for 873 to 911 tons every year.
Therefore, the government’s support should focus on the local fishermen who have difficulties in catching the fish.
In addition to that, improving fishing industry in the region can also be an effective way to motivate the local communities to utilize the existing fish resources.
Furthermore, it is also crucial to have specific programs for keeping the sustainability of the economical activities.
Some experts have mentioned that ecosystem-based fisheries are the solution.
The main approach on this fishery management should include interactions within the ecosystems of West Papua’s fishery resources.
The Successful Sustainable Fishing Industry in West Papua
Did you know that some remarkable fisheries companies and associations such as Aruna Indonesia and The National Entrepreneurs Network (Japnas) have contributed in the economy development of West Papua?
In fact, Aruna Indonesia has recently exported around 14 tons of fishery commodities from Raja Ampat Regency to several countries across the globe like China and the US.
According to the CSO and Co-Founder of the start-up company. Utari Octavianty, the fishery products that have been globally export including lobsters, crabs, squids, and of course many kinds of fish.
She also stated that the company is very optimistic that in the near future. The easternmost land in Indonesia will export its best products to many more countries around the world.
The Japanese as an association of Indonesian entrepreneurs is also concerned. On the fishing industry in the land of Cendrawasih birds.
They expect that West Papuan people, especially the local communities. Will be more encouraged to improve their economy through the fishery sector.
The association is also committed to support great commodities from the sea. Like tuna, seaweed, and sea cucumbers to go international.
Speaking of sustainability, the government of Indonesia has also cooperated with the World Bank,
To run a US$210 million-worth project in enhancing the management of the country’s. Fishery resources as well as improving the locals’ economy.
Through the project called LAUTRA (The Oceans for Prosperity Project). It is expect that the whole parts of the country including West Papua will maintain their sustainable fishing industry.
