Indonesia to Complete 1,386 Red and White Fishing Villages by December 2026
President Prabowo Subianto has announced an ambitious maritime initiative aimed at transforming Indonesia’s coastal landscape. The government is targeting the completion of 1,386 “Red and White Fishing Villages” across the nation by December 2026, a move designed to significantly improve the welfare of fishermen and bolster national food security.
Speaking during a working visit to Miangas in the Talaud Islands, North Sulawesi, the President emphasized that the fisheries sector has been designated as a primary government priority this year. The program seeks to modernize traditional fishing communities by creating an integrated economic ecosystem that encompasses fishing, storage, processing, and seafood marketing.
Driving Productivity Through Modern Infrastructure
A core component of the Red and White Fishing Village program is the provision of modern facilities to ensure sustainable productivity. The government plans to equip these villages with essential infrastructure, including cold storage facilities and dedicated fuel stations. In addition to infrastructure, the government has begun supporting local communities directly, such as through the recent handover of a 15 gross ton fishing boat to local fishermen in Miangas.
The potential for increased economic output is already being demonstrated through pilot projects. At the Samber Binyeri site in Biak, Papua, the program’s approach has led to a significant surge in efficiency. Data shows that fishermen’s annual productivity at the site rose from 5.35 tons to 10.85 tons per person, representing a 101 percent increase.
Strategic Implementation by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is spearheading the selection and development of these coastal locations. In the initial stages of the rollout, the KKP is targeting the construction of 100 Red and White Fishing Villages. According to Trian Yunanda, Expert Staff of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries for Economic, Social and Cultural Affairs, the program is designed to be transparent and accessible to local governments throughout Indonesia.
To ensure the success and sustainability of these villages, the KKP has established strict selection criteria for potential locations. These requirements are intended to ensure that the villages can support a modern, organized, and competitive maritime economy.
Program Selection Criteria:
- Demographics: More than 80 percent of the local population must work as fishermen or fish cultivators.
- Land Availability: The site must have more than 1 hectare of clear and clean land available for the construction of production facilities.
- Resource Potential: The location must demonstrate strong potential for fish resources, fish cultivation, and integrated marine tourism.
- Cooperative Integration: Sites must be capable of being integrated with the Red and White Village Cooperative.
Key Takeaways
- Primary Goal: Inaugurate 1,386 Red and White Fishing Villages by December 2026.
- Economic Focus: Create an integrated ecosystem covering fishing, storage, processing, and marketing.
- Proven Success: Pilot projects in Papua have demonstrated a 101 percent increase in individual fisherman productivity.
- Immediate Targets: The KKP is focusing on an initial phase of 100 villages based on specific land and demographic criteria.
As the government moves forward with this large-scale transformation, the focus remains on ensuring that the construction of these villages proceeds on schedule to meet the 2026 deadline, ultimately aiming to change the face of traditional fishing communities into organized, modern maritime hubs.