Indonesia Launches Aspiring Fishing Village Modernization Program, Starting with 65 Locations
Jakarta, Indonesia – The Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) has announced the official designation of 65 locations as part of the first phase of its groundbreaking “Red and White Fishing Village” (Kampung Nelayan Merah putih – KNMP) progress program. The initiative, formalized under Ministerial Decree No. 55 of 2025, represents a significant investment in the nation’s fishing communities and sustainable fisheries management.
The MMAF has allocated Rp1.34 trillion (approximately US$81.6 million) to complete the first 65 villages by December 2nd, 2025. Trian yunanda, Head of the KNMP Development Team, revealed at a press conference Monday that the ministry is already seeking additional funding from the Ministry of Finance to expand the program to a total of 100 villages by the end of this year.A budget proposal for a second phase, targeting 35 additional villages, is expected to be finalized and launched by the end of october 2025.
The initial 65 locations are spread across 17 provinces, demonstrating a nationwide commitment to the program. Key regions included in this first phase are Aceh, Banten, Bengkulu, Yogyakarta, Gorontalo, Java (West, Central & East), West Kalimantan, riau Islands, Lampung, Maluku, West nusa Tenggara, West Sulawesi, and the Papuan provinces of Southwest and South Papua.
However, the KNMP program is far more then just building homes. Mahrus, Director of Fishers Protection and Empowerment at the MMAF, stressed the comprehensive nature of the initiative. “This is about building fully functional communities,” he explained. “we’re investing in essential infrastructure – piers,roads,drainage,and electricity - to support a thriving fishing industry.”
Beyond basic infrastructure, the program will also provide vital facilities such as cold storage, ice factories, workshops, logistics centers, and fuel stations. This holistic approach is designed to boost productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve the overall livelihoods of fishing communities.
The KNMP program is intrinsically linked to indonesia’s commitment to sustainable fisheries. Mahrus highlighted the alignment with the nation’s quota-based measured fishing system, promoting responsible resource management and fair access to fisheries.
The MMAF projects that each modernized village will create up to 70 new jobs, encompassing both fishing roles and positions within the supporting production facilities. Moreover, the ministry will provide assistance with fishing vessels to further enhance productivity in these key locations.
This ambitious program, with a long-term goal of modernizing 1,100 fishing villages by 2027, signals a strong commitment from the Indonesian goverment to bolstering its marine and fisheries sector while prioritizing the well-being of its coastal communities.
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