Kemenkum Kepri Targets Geographical Indication Potential for Fish Bone Ship Miniature Craft

Tanjungpinang (ANTARA) - The Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights for the Riau Islands (Kanwil Kemenkum Kepri) is targeting the potential for Geographical Indication (IG) for miniature ship crafts made from fish bone waste and cuttlebone in Bintan Regency.

“The characteristics of this product are very strong and reflect the local wisdom of Bintan’s coastal communities. The use of cuttlebone as the ship’s understructure not only strengthens the form but also provides a unique identity that is hard to find in other areas,” said the Head of Kanwil Kemenkum Kepri, Edison Manik, in Tanjungpinang on Thursday.

Edison stated that the uniqueness of Bintan’s distinctive miniature ship craft has caught the attention of Kanwil Kemenkum Kepri to inventory the potential for Geographical Indication.

According to him, the creative work pursued by a middle-aged man named Saini has high market value, with selling prices reaching Rp3 million per unit, depending on the level of complexity.

“Although initially pursued as a hobby, Mr Saini’s work has received widespread recognition with selling prices reaching Rp3 million per unit,” Edison said.

He explained that the Intellectual Property Services Team of Kanwil Kemenkum Kepri has directly visited the artisan Saini’s residence in Bintan to observe the production process that still maintains traditional methods.

The miniature ships are crafted manually with high precision, where the raw material preservation process relies only on natural sun-drying without chemical additives.

“Orders from buyers continue to flow, from private collectors to government institutions that use them as exclusive regional souvenirs,” he said.

Edison added that the Geographical Indication inventory step carried out by the Kepri Ministry of Law Regional Office is the initial stage to provide legal protection for Communal Intellectual Property in the area.

Through the Geographical Indication scheme, it is hoped that the fish bone miniature ships will not only preserve their cultural authenticity but also enhance the economic value and competitiveness of Bintan’s creative products on the national and international stage.