Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries\n(MenKP) Sakti Wahyu Trenggono has issued a serious warning regarding the\nnational fisheries sector amid pressures from global geopolitical\ndynamics and the threat of extreme climate phenomenon El Nino. This was\nconveyed during a working meeting with Commission IV of the House of\nRepresentatives (DPR RI).<\/p>\n
Trenggono emphasised that the current global situation directly\nimpacts the operations of the fisheries sector, particularly in terms of\nproduction costs and distribution.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we know, global geopolitical dynamics\u2014which I believe everyone is\naware of\u2014have a significant impact on the Ministry of Marine Affairs and\nFisheries (KKP) as well. One of them is the use of fuel oil (BBM) for\nfishermen, who still rely 100% on BBM to this day,\u201d said Trenggono\nduring the working meeting with Commission IV of the DPR RI at the\nparliamentary complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (7\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n
He noted that pressures are also affecting the supply chain, which in\nturn impacts export performance and the competitiveness of Indonesian\nfishery products in the global market.<\/p>\n
\u201cFurthermore, prices due to distribution are still influenced, so the\nsupply chain for fishery products could potentially lead to a decline in\nexport volumes and reduced competitiveness of Indonesian fishery\nproducts in the global market,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
In addition to geopolitical factors, climate threats are a primary\nconcern. Based on studies by the National Research and Innovation Agency\n(BRIN), Indonesia is projected to face the extreme \u2018Godzilla\u2019 El Nino\nphenomenon, marked by extreme climate anomalies from April to October\n2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cBased on BRIN\u2019s study, Indonesia is expected to face the Godzilla El\nNino phenomenon, characterised by extreme climate anomalies during the\nperiod of April to October 2026,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
According to him, this situation presents both significant risks and\nopportunities that must be managed carefully. From the risk perspective,\nTrenggono warned of potential serious pressures on coastal and marine\necosystems.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a risk perspective, this phenomenon has the potential to\ntrigger serious pressures in land, coastal, and ocean areas, including\nincreased vulnerability to ecosystem damage in coastal and marine\nregions,\u201d he revealed.<\/p>\n
He also highlighted subsequent impacts, such as changes in water\nenvironmental quality that could disrupt production.<\/p>\n
\u201cHigh evaporation rates can cause spikes in salinity, which implies\nincreased risks of disease outbreaks in aquaculture commodities, and\ncould accelerate the degradation of blue carbon ecosystems, ultimately\nleading to significant increases in carbon emissions,\u201d Trenggono\ncontinued.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the El Nino phenomenon could also offer opportunities\nfor a marine productivity boom, such as increased fish stocks due to\nhigher nutrient levels in the sea, and boosted salt production from\nprolonged dry periods.<\/p>\n
Indonesia\u2019s Fisheries Sector Performance Remains Stable<\/p>\n
On the other hand, Trenggono assured that the performance of the\nnational fisheries sector remains stable despite various challenges,\nfrom geopolitics to climate anomaly threats. He stated that production\nand exports have continued to show positive trends in recent years.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmid various challenges faced, the performance of the national\nmarine and fisheries sector has so far maintained good production and\nexport achievements. Among them, Indonesia\u2019s marine and fisheries\nproduction has consistently increased with an average growth of around\n3.8% in 2025,\u201d Trenggono revealed.<\/p>\n
He detailed that total national fisheries production reached its\nhighest figure of 26.25 million tonnes, comprising 11.65 million tonnes\nof seaweed production, 7.85 million tonnes of capture fisheries, and\n6.75 million tonnes of aquaculture.<\/p>\n
From the export side, the value of fishery products also recorded\npositive performance, although it began to slow in early 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe value of Indonesian fishery product exports also increased,\nreaching US$6.27 billion in 2025, marking the highest achievement in the\nlast five years. However, up to February 2026, export value was recorded\nat US$960 million, showing a year-on-year slowdown compared to the same\nperiod in the previous year,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully, this will soon improve now that we\u2019ve sorted out our\nissues with America,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, Trenggono stated that the KKP projects production to\nremain stable despite ongoing global and climate pressures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe national fish production prognosis for the period April to\nDecember 2026 projects a total national fish production of 10.57 million\ntonnes. This figure consists of contributions from capture fisheries\nproduction of 5.42 million tonnes and aquaculture production of 5.15\nmillion tonnes,\u201d said Trenggono.<\/p>\n
He also assured that fish availability for public needs remains safe\nin the short term.<\/p>\n
\u201cBased on monitoring results, we can report that the status of fish\navailability is in the safe category until June 2026,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In closing his remarks, Trenggono emphasised the importance of\ncross-sector synergy to maintain food security from the fisheries\nsector.<\/p>\n
\u201cEfforts to strengthen national food security in the marine and\nfisheries sector certainly require our collective support and synergy.\nFor this reason, we greatly appreciate input and support from Commission\nIV of the DPR RI so that efforts to strengthen food security in the\nmarine and fisheries sector can run optimally and be fulfilled\neffectively,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesian-fishermen-on-high-alert-minister-trenggono-warns-of-looming-series-of-problems-1775609617", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }