Edited by Adrian 3:30pm

Edited by Adrian 3:30pm

For REGENCY PROFILE/July 23 Story #4

Pandansimo harbour, a lucrative long-term investment

Bright prospects for Pandansimo harbor

For years, Pandansimo beach, located on the northern part of Bantul regency and nudging the estuary of Progo river, has been a famous religious resort.

On certain Tuesdays and Fridays, thousands of devotees pray at various locations previously used for meditation by Yogyakarta's former king, Sri Sultan HB VII. However, for the past year or so, the pristine beach has been crowded by hundreds of local fishermen.

Today, Pandansimo is not only well known as a tourist destination but also as a bustling site for local fishermen who earn their living from the contents of the Indian Ocean.

"Here at Pandansimo we catch the much sought after white pomfret. These delicious white fish gather near the estuary of Progo river," said Djoko Lawiyono, head of the local tourism office.

With the abundant supplies, today's tourists visit the area not only for spiritual purposes but also to enjoy watching the fishermen at work, and also to purchase the yield of their arduous daily efforts. Due to the successful management of local culture and agro-tourism by the local tourist office, the number of tourists has grown significantly.

Prospects for Pandansimo are bright. According to a survey conducted by the fishery general directorate, the current fishing area along Java's southern coast is approximately 34,000 square kilometers, which contains both pelagic as well as demersal fish.

Bantul regency's administration conservatively estimates that 61,000 tons of pelagic fish, 93,500 tons of demersal fish, 5,500 tons of penaeidae shrimps and 234 tons of spiny lobsters will only be part of the area's future annual yield.

To build an effective harbour, a number of facilities will be required, such as breakwaters, revetments, a main and secondary shipping lane, navigational signs, dredgers, jetties and a recreational area. The entire cost is estimated at slightly over Rp 600 billion (US$70.5 million)

Although it is a huge amount, it will be well spent as Pandansimo harbour is a good investment when one considers the income. The total value of fish caught in the area could reach Rp 180 billion annually.

Investing in a Rp 400 million ship is also profitable as a 100 ton ship can haul in a monthly load of 40 tons of fish - priced at Rp 5,000 per kilogram - which means that it brings in a revenue of Rp 200 million. Even with a minimum of six trips a year, the ship can generate a huge profit for its owner.

Likewise, other facilities will also prove profitable, such as a port, housing and an education center for fishermen plus other functional facilities like docking services, a ship repair shop, a petrol station, cold storage, ice and fish meal factories. Related tourist facilities and shops will also be good investments.

A complete proposal for Pandansimo harbour has been prepared by the Bantul regency administration. Interested investors can contact them for more detailed information.