Antara News·Indonesia·Friday, September 25, 2026 at 03:58 AM

Indonesia, China cooperate on 33 fishing vessels in Arafura Sea

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S. Ayudiana, Tegar Nurfitra

Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is preparing 33 fishing vessels to boost productivity in the national capture fisheries sector in the Arafura Sea through cooperation with the Chinese government.

Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said in Tual City, Maluku, on Thursday that the fleet forms part of the Technical Cooperation Guidelines (TCG) established between Indonesia and China.

He said the bilateral initiative aims not only to increase fisheries productivity but also to support fleet modernization and stimulate economic growth in coastal communities.

The cooperation must generate added value for Indonesia, he said, highlighting opportunities to expand economic activity, strengthen the fisheries industry, create jobs, enhance the capacity of fisheries businesses, advance technology, and reinforce national fisheries supply chains.

To that end, Trenggono stressed the importance of implementing the partnership in compliance with permit requirements and regulations governing vessel operations, fishing activities, catch reporting, and monitoring.

“The origin of every fish caught must be traceable,” the minister affirmed.

Director General of Capture Fisheries Lotharia Latif said the ministry is implementing the bilateral cooperation as part of efforts to advance Indonesia’s measured fishing policy.

He said the 33 fishing vessels are expected to create employment opportunities for around 669 workers and produce a combined 9,500 metric tons of fish annually.

The projected catch will be adjusted to government-set quotas, with each vessel allocated an annual catch quota of approximately 200 metric tons.

Latif added that the ministry expects the fisheries project to generate Rp65 billion (around US$3.6 million) in non-tax state revenue.

The TCG follows up on President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to China in November 2024, during which the two countries issued a joint statement. Trenggono subsequently signed the TCG with Chinese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Jun.

The cooperation covers fishing activities, the development of onshore fisheries facilities, fish processing, capacity-building programs, data exchanges, and collaboration to improve the welfare of fisheries workers.

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