Central Papua Exports 42 Tonnes of Pomfret to Malaysia in Landmark First Shipment

Central Papua has recorded its inaugural direct export of fisheries products, dispatching 42 tonnes of pomfret to Malaysia via the Pomoka Fish Landing Port in Mimika Regency. Governor Meki Nawipa hailed the shipment as a crucial milestone for the region’s economic development, particularly in the marine and fisheries sector. “Today is proof that the hard work of our fishermen has penetrated the international market,” Nawipa stated in Timika on Tuesday. “This is a moment when Central Papua’s marine products no longer just stop at the port, but sail to the global market, carrying the good name of our region, nation, and the entire community of Central Papua.”

The exported fish were caught by local fishermen in Mimika. The governor pledged continued support, noting he had already provided 10 fully equipped fishing vessels and promised additional units upon proven success. He emphasised the vast fisheries potential in Central Papua, which must be developed optimally. The successful export was attributed to collaboration between national, provincial, and district governments, alongside private sector entities such as fisheries cooperatives, entrepreneurs, and the fishermen themselves.

The Central Papua Provincial Government is committed to improving the quality of fishing ports, expanding export access, strengthening quality certification, enhancing human resource capacity, and ensuring the involvement of indigenous communities and native Papuans throughout the fisheries industry value chain. “We want to ensure that the Central Papua sea is not just a producer, but generates prosperity, employment, pride, and a better future for the next generation,” Nawipa said. He stressed that the day’s momentum demonstrated how collaborative cooperation with all stakeholders could yield optimal results.

Head of the Central Papua Marine and Fisheries Service, Karlos Matuan, explained that the 42 tonnes of pomfret were packed into three containers and shipped by the Sukses Sejahtera Papua Cooperative. The cooperative collected catches from local fishermen in Akar, Kipia, and Pronggo villages in West Central Mimika District, then partnered with a business owning cold storage facilities to preserve the fish before shipment. Matuan noted that Central Papua, particularly Nabire and Mimika Regencies, holds immense fisheries potential, with the region home to 25,000 capture fishermen—15,000 in Nabire and 10,000 in Mimika. He confirmed plans for future exports, highlighting a significant policy change: previously, export permits were processed in Surabaya, but for this shipment, the permit was issued directly in Timika. “All boxes must bear the Central Papua Province label so that people in any country know this fish comes from Central Papua,” he added.