Fishermen in East Lombok to Receive 50 Boats from Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries

Fishermen in the Merah Putih Fishing Village (KNMP), Ekas Buana Village, Jerowaru District, East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), are set to receive assistance in the form of 50 boats from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP). Previously, fishermen in this coastal area have been forced to operate using small vessels.

This was revealed by the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas), during a visit to the KNMP in East Lombok on Friday (31/07/2026). According to Zulhas, the use of small boats makes it difficult for fishermen to venture into the deep sea.

“The boats are too small to reach the far reaches of the sea. Consequently, our waters are being dominated by China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia, and our fish are being stolen,” said Zulhas during a dialogue with fishermen in Ekas Buana Village.

“They initially requested 10 boats, but the Minister of Marine Affairs has provided 50,” he added.

Zulhas believes that fish catches will increase if fishermen use larger vessels, which will subsequently lead to higher incomes. “If our fishermen are productive and prosperous, they can afford better boats and master Indonesia’s seas,” he stated.

In addition to the boat assistance, Zulhas also promised to construct a Fisherman’s Public Fuel Station (SPBUN) in the coastal area. He noted that the presence of an SPBUN would make it easier for fishermen to access fuel at affordable prices.

“Currently, getting fuel is a long journey. The Minister of Marine Affairs will build a Fisherman’s Petrol Station providing subsidised diesel. While prices elsewhere might be around Rp 20,000, here it will be Rp 15,000, making it much cheaper,” he added.