Indramayu Regency expands SeHAT programme to protect fishers’ assets
Indramayu, West Java (ANTARA) — The Indramayu Regency Government is expanding the Fishermen’s Land Rights Certification (SeHAT Nelayan) and SeHATKAN aquaculture programmes, distributing 1,500 land certificates to provide legal certainty over the assets of fishers and fish farmers in the area.
Indramayu Fisheries and Marine Affairs Agency head Edi Umaedi said on Tuesday that the region’s fisheries potential should be harnessed to boost fish consumption and create economic opportunities for local communities.
“Indramayu is a fisheries production centre, with output that ranks among the highest in national statistics. This gives the people of Indramayu a basis for consuming even more fish,” he said.
The agency recorded that 1,000 land certificates were issued to fishers through the SeHAT Nelayan programme, while the remaining 500 were distributed to fish farmers through the SeHATKAN aquaculture programme.
A symbolic handover of certificates to fishers took place in Parean Girang village, Kandanghaur district, while certificates for fish farmers were handed over in Karanglayung village, Sukra district, he said.
In addition to land certification, the agency has distributed 1,000 BPJS Ketenagakerjaan employment social security cards to fishers, providing social protection for people working in the fisheries sector.
Support for business development has also included fish-processing equipment for two fish processing and marketing groups, to increase production capacity and improve the quality of processed products.
The local government has also supplied one package of fish-farming facilities and one package of equipment for fish farming in containers, known as Budikdamber, to support community businesses.
He said the land-certification programme and business assistance would help fishers and fish farmers develop economic activities in the fisheries sector.
Meanwhile, Indramayu Regent Lucky Hakim said the assistance was expected to be used effectively and reach its intended recipients, benefiting people working in fisheries.
The local government has also released 306,125 fish fingerlings into public waters to maintain fish stocks and support the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems.
The release comprised 80,000 tawes, 56,125 patin and 170,000 tilapia fingerlings. A symbolic release took place on the banks of the Cimanuk River.
He also urged the public to avoid environmentally destructive fishing practices, such as electrofishing and the use of poison, to protect fish populations in public waters.
“We hope the assistance will be used effectively and reach its intended recipients, bringing tangible benefits to fishers, fish farmers, businesses and the wider community,” he said.