Fishermen Empowerment Key to Success of Red and White Fishing Village Programme

Strengthening the capacity of fishermen is considered a key factor in supporting the implementation of the Red and White Fishing Village (KNMP) Programme. In addition to infrastructure development, improving skills, institutional frameworks, and social protection are deemed necessary to ensure coastal communities feel the programme’s benefits. This emerged during a discussion forum titled ‘Chatting with Fishermen: Strengthening Pati Fishermen to Support the KNMP Priority Programme in Central Java’, held at KNMP Banyutowo, Dukuhseti District, Pati Regency, on Sunday (19/7/2026). The event was attended by hundreds of fishermen and coastal residents. PT Sarana Patra Hulu Cepu (SPHC) Director Barri Pratama stated that strengthening fishermen must be carried out sustainably through collaboration, capacity building, and support from various parties so that the programme’s benefits can be felt by coastal communities. ‘Strengthening fishermen is not only about improving skills, but also about building a healthy, competitive, and sustainable ecosystem. SPHC is committed to continuing to be present through concrete support for activities that provide direct benefits to the community,’ Barri said in a press release on Monday (20/7/2026). According to Barri, the Red and White Fishing Village Programme not only focuses on building facilities and infrastructure but is also directed at strengthening the coastal community’s economy, fishermen’s institutions, and sustainable empowerment. SPHC participated in organising the forum through the company’s Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) programme as support for coastal community development in Central Java. Head of the Pati Regency Marine and Fisheries Service, Hadi Santosa, said fishermen need to improve the quality of their catch while utilising various available training programmes. ‘We encourage fishermen to continuously improve the quality of their catch and actively participate in available training. Social protection through BPJS Ketenagakerjaan is also important, given the high risk of working at sea,’ Hadi said. In addition to capacity building, Hadi assessed that social protection through BPJS Ketenagakerjaan membership is a necessity for fishermen given the high occupational risks in the fisheries sector. Banyutowo youth leader and fisheries entrepreneur Subaskoro said the success of the Red and White Fishing Village also depends on community participation in managing the potential of the coastal area. ‘The success of KNMP Banyutowo is not just about the budget, but also about our togetherness and active participation in managing the potential of this coastal area,’ Subaskoro said. Meanwhile, Head of the Juwana Fishing Port, Driyanto, encouraged fishing groups needing assistance with fishing gear to submit proposals to the Central Java Provincial Marine and Fisheries Service in accordance with applicable mechanisms.