BSI Develops Fishermen's Village in Labuan Bajo
Developing the fishing economy requires the participation of various stakeholders, including banks.
By Aguido Adri
22 Apr 2026 08:50 WIB · English
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — PT Bank Syariah Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BSI inaugurated the BSI Warloka Fisherman Village in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, as part of efforts to strengthen the economic empowerment of coastal communities. BSI allocated an investment of IDR 6.3 billion to support the development of an integrated fisheries cluster for 143 fishing family heads in the area.
The President Director of BSI, Anggoro Eko Cahyo, stated that the role of the company is not limited to being a financial institution, but also as an entity that contributes to the improvement of community welfare in Warloka Pesisir Village.
The Warloka Fisherman Village Program is part of the BSI Village Program (Bangun Sejahtera Indonesia), which is one of PT BSI’s social initiatives in supporting community-based economic development.
“Until now, we have developed 20 villages, with Warloka Pesisir being the 21st in 14 provinces. A total of 7,853 beneficiaries have been reached, including residents and fishermen in the Warloka village,” said Anggoro, Wednesday (22/4/2026).
The Fishermen’s Village of BSI Warloka, inaugurated on Tuesday (21/4/2026), has been conceived since 2024. In Warloka Village, BSI is developing the coastal area as an integrated fisheries cluster, not only through the provision of production facilities but also by strengthening the fisheries business chain.
The BSI Fisherman Village Program directly addresses the basic needs of fishermen, namely boats and warehouses with refrigeration units that can accommodate the fishermen’s catch, as well as fish auction sites.
“Therefore, the investment here amounts to IDR 6.3 billion, benefiting 143 households in the area. The support includes 19 fishing boats equipped with solar power systems, as well as capacity building for businesses, and the development of a business pathway from fishing to marketing marine products,” said Anggoro.
According to Anggoro, assistance for production facilities must be accompanied by strengthening business models to ensure sustainable impacts. This program complements and aligns with the national government agenda through the Red and White Fisherman Village Program, which aims to enhance the economic capabilities of coastal communities in an integrated manner.
“This is the main spirit for building the economic capabilities of coastal communities. For the welfare of the community. It is hoped that the BSI Warloka Fishermen’s Village can grow into a productive coastal economic center, and most importantly, provide benefits for the surrounding community,” said Anggoro.
Suparman (42), one of the residents and fishermen of Warloka Pesisir, stated that in the past, going to sea meant worrying about boat debts and fuel costs. Now, he simply starts the engine and departs with two or three of his colleagues.
“We used to not have a boat. If we wanted to go to sea, we had to borrow from the boat owners in Labuan Bajo. Even if there was a boat, it was a small one that caught fish using a mincing method or by netting,” said Suparman.
The borrowing scheme is not easy for a fisherman. In one trip, the catch must be divided among four people. He exemplified that three portions are for the fishermen who go to sea, and one portion is for the ship owner.
From a catch of around 50 to 100 kilograms, the portion received often feels diminished, especially when having to bear the cost of diesel for the motorized boat.
“It’s burdensome, but there’s no choice. We still have to go to sea. We’re fishermen, we go to sea for a living,” he said.
The situation is now slowly changing. Since the arrival of 19 new solar-powered boats, fishermen in Warloka have begun to feel a greater sense of relief. Without the burden of diesel fuel, the costs of going to sea have decreased, while the catch has increased.
Larger boats also allow them to go to sea for two to four days with a greater capacity. In one fishing trip, the catch can reach around 150 kilograms to be shared among the fishermen.
“Now the proceeds are ours. They’re no longer shared with the ship owners,” said Suparman.
Changes are occurring not only in the sea but also on land. The presence of fish auction sites and improved road access means that catches no longer have to be transported to Labuan Bajo via sea routes. Fishermen can now sell directly in the village or deliver them to buyers.
“The money circulates directly here. We no longer have to deal with middlemen,” he said.
For Suparman, this change is not merely about boats or catch results, but about the sustainability of his family’s livelihood. Income from fishing has become a cornerstone for his children’s education.
In favorable fishing conditions, a single fisherman can earn up to approximately Rp 1 million for one fishing trip lasting three to four days. Although it is not always stable due to weather factors and the types of fish, he has noticed an increase in income compared to before.
“It is not always that much, but there is an increase. The important thing now is that we no longer have difficulties going to sea because we have the boat,” he said.
The Vice Chairman of the National Amil Zakat Agency (BAZNAS), Zainut Tauhid, stated that the condition of fishermen in Indonesia still faces various fundamental challenges despite having significant marine resource potential.
The Red and White Fisherman Village Program is a strategic step towards building an economic independence ecosystem for coastal communities. This program is expected to address various challenges that fishermen have faced, ranging from limited access to capital to lengthy distribution chains.
“Behind the beauty of the sea, fishermen still face a significant barrier in the form of limited access to capital, lengthy market chains, and technological backwardness,” said Zainut.
According to him, the launch of the Red and White F