Kepri Marine and Fisheries Office Promotes Fish Consumption Through 'Gemarikan' Safari

The Riau Islands Provincial Government, through its Marine and Fisheries Office (DKP Kepri), is encouraging the public to consume fish through the 2026 Safari Gerakan Memasyarakatkan Makan Ikan (Gemarikan) in Bintan Regency.

“The Gemarikan Safari is expected to raise public awareness and understanding of the importance of fish consumption as part of a nutritious and balanced diet, as well as to support improved family nutrition quality,” said Ade Ovita, Head of the Processing and Marketing Division at DKP Kepri, while opening the Gemarikan Safari at the Sei Lekop Sub-district Office Hall, East Bintan District, Bintan, on Wednesday.

Ade explained that there are three main objectives of the Gemarikan Safari: to increase public awareness of eating fish as a staple menu for family nutrition, to support nutritional needs—particularly for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and toddlers—and to serve as a form of synergy and collaboration among relevant stakeholders in accelerating the reduction of stunting rates.

“Besides being highly nutritious, fish is also relatively cheap and easy to obtain in the Riau Islands because 96 percent of the region is sea, making it very suitable as a staple family food menu,” Ade said.

She continued that the Gemarikan Safari also aims to increase the fish consumption rate in the Riau Islands. In 2025, the province’s fish consumption rate reached 69.64 kilograms per capita per year.

For this reason, DKP Kepri is inviting the public to make fish part of their daily food consumption patterns.

“Let us raise awareness that consuming fish in sufficient, safe and varied amounts is one of the simple steps families can take to support nutrition and health,” she said.

Following the Gemarikan Safari, DKP Kepri distributed 50 aid packages consisting of several types of fresh fish to recipients including pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and toddlers.