Papua Tengah is seeking stronger national government support to develop its fisheries industry, with plans ranging from large-scale cold storage facilities and fishing boats for coastal communities to freshwater fish ponds in the province’s mountainous districts.
The proposals were presented by Deputy Governor Deinas Geley and Papua Tengah Marine Affairs and Fisheries Agency Head Carlos Matuan during a meeting with officials from Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) in Jakarta on October 29, 2026. The discussions also addressed an unresolved administrative issue involving the transfer of assets at Pomako Fishing Port in Mimika, a facility considered important to the province’s future marine economy.
The provincial government wants to build large-capacity cold storage facilities in Nabire and Timika, provide boats to coastal fishers, expand existing fishing village programs, and develop freshwater aquaculture in six regencies. It also wants to resolve the status of approximately 59.6 hectares of land and supporting facilities at Pomako Port so that the provincial administration can proceed with its development plans.
The meeting reflects an effort to develop fisheries according to the different geographical conditions of Papua Tengah. Coastal communities need better facilities to preserve and distribute their catches, while inland and highland communities could benefit from fish farming to improve food availability and create additional income.
Deinas said government support should deliver practical benefits to local communities, particularly fishers and coastal residents whose livelihoods depend on marine resources.
“Government support should not be limited to infrastructure development. It must also create opportunities for local communities to participate in productive economic activities, including fish farming and the provision of fishing facilities,” he said, according to Papuanews Online.
For the provincial administration, the objective is to build a fisheries sector that contributes to food security, local employment, and regional economic growth, while ensuring that Indigenous Papuans have a meaningful role in its development.
A Provincial Strategy Presented to the Fisheries Ministry
Deinas Geley leads the delegation in Jakarta
The meeting took place on Thursday, October 29, when Deinas Geley and Carlos Matuan met officials from the Directorate General of Capture Fisheries under the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.
The delegation presented a series of proposals intended to strengthen fisheries infrastructure and expand economic opportunities across Papua Tengah.
According to ANTARA, Deinas said the provincial government had submitted several requests, including the construction of large-capacity cold storage facilities, assistance with fishing boats, and the development of freshwater aquaculture.
The government hopes the proposals can be followed up in 2027. KKP officials reportedly responded positively to several of the initiatives, although the proposals still require further consideration and formal implementation arrangements.
The meeting was important because the province’s fisheries development needs national government support, particularly for infrastructure requiring substantial investment and technical coordination.
The provincial government is seeking a development approach that reflects the different needs of its coastal and inland communities rather than concentrating resources in a single area.
Cold storage for Nabire and Timika
One of the main proposals is the construction of large-scale cold storage facilities in Nabire and Timika.
Both locations are considered priorities for the development of capture fisheries. Cold storage would help fishers preserve the quality of their catches after landing, reducing the risk of spoilage and allowing products to be stored before distribution.
For communities dependent on fishing, the time between catching fish and selling them can have a direct impact on income. Without suitable preservation facilities, fishers may be forced to sell quickly, sometimes under pressure to accept lower prices.
Cold storage can provide greater flexibility by allowing fish to remain in suitable conditions while buyers and distribution arrangements are organized.
It could also support the development of a wider supply chain involving fish traders, processors, transport operators, restaurants, and other businesses.
The proposal is therefore intended to strengthen more than the physical infrastructure of the fisheries sector. It could help improve the commercial position of local fishers and create opportunities for businesses involved in handling and distributing seafood.
The provincial government also proposed providing fishing boats so that coastal communities can increase their fishing activities and make better use of the planned storage facilities.
The details of the proposed boat assistance, including the number, specifications, and distribution arrangements, have not yet been announced. These matters will require further coordination with KKP.
Developing Coastal Fishing Villages
The provincial government also wants to strengthen the fishing village program as part of its broader effort to improve economic conditions in coastal communities.
According to the discussion reported by Papuanews Online, Papua Tengah currently has six fishing villages in Nabire and eight in Timika.
Deinas said the provincial administration hoped to increase the number of supported fishing villages with assistance from the central government.
The fishing village approach is intended to connect infrastructure development with the daily needs of communities. Better facilities can support fishing activities, improve access to services, and provide opportunities for local businesses.
However, the success of such programs depends on how well infrastructure is maintained and whether residents can use it productively.
Cold storage, landing facilities, and fishing equipment need reliable electricity, maintenance, management, and access to buyers. Without those supporting elements, new facilities may not deliver their full economic value.
The provincial government therefore sees coordination with KKP as important not only for securing infrastructure support but also for ensuring that development programs can operate effectively over time.
Freshwater Aquaculture: Extending Fisheries Beyond the Coast
Papua Tengah’s strategy is not limited to marine fisheries. The province also wants to develop freshwater aquaculture in six regencies, recognizing the potential of lakes and inland communities.
The proposed program covers Paniai, Deiyai, Dogiyai, Intan Jaya, Puncak, and Puncak Jaya.
Using the lakes of Paniai, Deiyai, and Dogiyai
In Paniai, Deiyai, and Dogiyai, the government plans to make use of the region’s freshwater resources, particularly Lake Paniai, Lake Tigi, and Lake Tage.
These lakes offer potential for freshwater fish cultivation, subject to suitable technical assessments and environmental management.
Aquaculture could provide communities with an additional source of food and income, complementing existing livelihoods and reducing reliance on fish supplies transported from other areas.
The program could also encourage the development of small-scale businesses involved in fish cultivation, feed supply, harvesting, and local distribution.
For inland communities, the development of freshwater fisheries is particularly relevant because access to marine products may involve additional transport costs and logistical challenges.
Fish ponds in Intan Jaya, Puncak, and Puncak Jaya
In Intan Jaya, Puncak, and Puncak Jaya, the provincial government has proposed constructing fish ponds at the village level.
The proposed ponds would measure approximately 1,000 square meters, with dimensions of 20 by 50 meters.
Tilapia is among the fish species being considered for cultivation. The government expects village-level aquaculture to contribute to local food supplies while creating opportunities for additional household income.
The model is intended to make fish farming more accessible to communities that do not have direct access to the province’s coastal fisheries.
Deinas said the development of inland fisheries should be adapted to the potential of each area so that both coastal fishers and freshwater fish farmers can benefit from government support.
The proposal also reflects a broader food security objective. Increasing local fish production could help diversify food sources and strengthen the availability of protein in communities across the province.
Pomako Fishing Port: An Important Asset Transfer Issue
Alongside the new development proposals, the meeting addressed a long-running administrative issue involving Pomako Fishing Port in Mimika Regency.
The provincial government says it cannot proceed fully with its plans to develop the port because the transfer of land and supporting assets has not been completed.
The assets in question include approximately 59.6 hectares of land, buildings, machinery, and equipment. These reportedly include cold storage facilities, an ice factory, and an Air Blast Freezer (ABF), which is used to rapidly freeze products.
The port is strategically important because it supports fishing activities in Mimika and could serve as a foundation for improving the handling, storage, and distribution of marine products.
How the asset issue developed
According to Papuapos Nabire, the problem began before Papua Tengah became a separate province.
At that time, Mimika Regency had reportedly not transferred some assets associated with Pomako Fishing Port to the former Papua provincial government. When assets were subsequently transferred following the establishment of Papua Tengah, the land, equipment, and buildings in question were not included in the list of assets handed over.
The provincial government argues that the assets need to be transferred so it can exercise its responsibilities in developing and managing the fishing port.
The issue involves the division of administrative responsibilities between provincial and regency governments. According to the report, marine fisheries management and fishing port development fall within provincial responsibilities, while certain local fisheries functions, including the fish auction facility, remain under regency management.
The unresolved asset status has therefore created an administrative obstacle to the province’s development plans.
Efforts to resolve the issue have been ongoing since 2025
Papua Tengah’s efforts to resolve the matter reportedly began in 2025, when the provincial administration sent a formal request concerning the transfer of the assets.
The issue was subsequently discussed through coordination involving Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). According to the provincial account reported by Papuapos Nabire, the KPK called representatives of Mimika Regency to discuss the matter.
On September 17, 2026, the Governor of Papua Tengah issued another letter requesting that the asset transfer be completed. The issue was also discussed in a meeting involving the governor, the Mimika regent, and fisheries officials from both levels of government.
Despite these steps, the provincial administration said that the necessary follow-up had not yet been completed by October 2026.
The reason for the continued disagreement also involves the assets’ potential contribution to Mimika’s Regional Original Revenue, known as PAD. Papuapos Nabire reported that the regency’s position on retaining the assets was linked to their revenue implications.
The issue therefore requires coordination that addresses both the formal division of government responsibilities and the financial interests associated with the facilities.
Why the transfer matters
Carlos Matuan said certainty over the asset transfer was essential if the provincial government was to proceed with the port’s development.
“Our hope is that the asset transfer process can be completed soon so that the Papua Tengah Provincial Government can develop Pomako Fishing Port. If the assets have not been handed over, we cannot carry out the development, even though the authority rests with the province,” he said.
Matuan said the provincial administration had continued to seek a resolution through official correspondence and coordination with relevant institutions.
The facilities at Pomako could become an important part of a wider fisheries supply chain. A functioning cold storage facility, ice production, and rapid-freezing equipment could help maintain product quality and support distribution to markets beyond the immediate port area.
The port’s development could also strengthen services for local fishers and create opportunities for businesses involved in seafood handling, transport, and processing.
For that reason, the provincial government sees the completion of the asset transfer as a necessary step towards putting its fisheries development plans into practice.
Indigenous Papuans at the Centre of Economic Participation
Deinas also stressed that Indigenous Papuans, known as Orang Asli Papua (OAP), should have an active role in the development of the fisheries sector.
His position is that local communities should not simply receive the benefits of government projects after construction is completed. They should also be involved in the economic activities that emerge from those investments.
This could include participation in fishing operations, aquaculture, equipment supply, seafood processing, storage management, and distribution.
Such participation matters because infrastructure investment does not automatically create broad-based prosperity. Local workers and entrepreneurs need opportunities to develop the skills and business capacity required to take part in the supply chain.
Training, access to equipment, support for local business groups, and connections with buyers could help make that participation more meaningful.
The proposed combination of coastal fisheries and inland aquaculture also offers different entry points for communities with different geographical circumstances.
In coastal areas, opportunities may emerge through fishing, boat operations, and seafood distribution. In highland districts, village fish ponds could support household production and small-scale trading.
The provincial government hopes that a more integrated fisheries strategy will allow communities across Papua Tengah to participate in economic development according to their local potential.
What Comes Next for Papua Tengah’s Fisheries Sector?
The October 29 meeting established a set of proposals, but their implementation will depend on further decisions by KKP and the relevant government institutions.
The provincial government hopes that the programs can be followed up in 2027. This will require technical assessments, budget arrangements, project planning, and clear responsibilities between national, provincial, and regency administrations.
For cold storage, the next steps will include determining capacity, locations, operating arrangements, and the supply of electricity. Fishing boat assistance will require decisions on the number of vessels, specifications, beneficiaries, and maintenance.
Freshwater aquaculture will need appropriate site assessments, suitable fish species, access to feed, technical guidance, and arrangements for distributing harvested fish.
The Pomako asset issue will require a separate administrative process to establish clear ownership or control and ensure that the relevant assets can be managed according to the applicable division of government responsibilities.
These tasks are closely connected. New storage facilities will be more useful if fishers have boats and access to markets. Aquaculture programs will be more sustainable if communities receive ongoing technical support. Port development will have greater impact if asset management and operational responsibilities are clearly established.
The provincial government will therefore need to maintain coordination with KKP, Mimika Regency, and other relevant institutions to ensure that the proposals move beyond the planning stage.
Conclusion
Papua Tengah’s proposals to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries represent an effort to develop a more inclusive and geographically balanced fisheries economy.
The strategy combines large-capacity cold storage in Nabire and Timika, assistance for coastal fishers, stronger fishing villages, and freshwater aquaculture in six regencies. At the same time, the provincial government is seeking to resolve the Pomako Fishing Port asset issue, which it considers essential to the development of marine fisheries infrastructure in Mimika.
Deputy Governor Deinas Geley has emphasized that development must create direct opportunities for local communities, particularly Indigenous Papuans. Fisheries Agency Head Carlos Matuan has stressed the importance of legal and administrative certainty so that the provincial government can carry out its responsibilities.
The proposals still require formal follow-up, funding, and implementation decisions. Yet they establish a clear direction: coastal and highland communities should both have opportunities to benefit from the province’s fisheries resources.
If the central and regional governments can turn these proposals into functioning infrastructure, effective aquaculture programs, and stronger local businesses, fisheries could become an increasingly important contributor to food security, employment, and economic growth in Papua Tengah.
The long-term measure of success will be whether fishers earn more from their catches, inland communities gain reliable sources of fish, and Indigenous Papuans become active participants in a stronger regional fisheries economy.
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