Marking National Fishermen's Day, Ibas Pushes Blue Economy as Solution for Food Security

Deputy Speaker of the MPR RI, Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (Ibas), has asserted that strengthening the blue economy and national food security must be Indonesia’s primary strategic agenda. This was stated by Ibas during the MPR RI’s National Discussion titled “Maritime Sovereignty and Fishermen’s Welfare in the Blue Economy Era” in Jakarta on Monday (6/4/2026). Ibas emphasised that fishermen are the frontline guardians and heroes of the nation’s marine food supply, protecting the country’s protein intake. According to him, Indonesia’s vast marine biodiversity potential must be managed wisely to improve the welfare of coastal communities. “The sea is our future, and fishermen are its guardians. We want to ensure that the ideas from this forum do not stop in the discussion room but develop into concrete solutions,” Ibas said in his remarks. As Chairman of the Democrat Party Faction in the DPR RI, he highlighted the global dynamics full of uncertainties, from energy crises to supply chain disruptions. He assessed that Indonesia needs to strengthen national self-reliance through the maritime sector. “The blue economy concept must not remain just a concept. Blue food must become a real force in the national food system that we build together,” he said. Ibas also reminded the importance of positioning fishermen as subjects, not merely objects of development. He encouraged industrial transformation through downstream processing so that Indonesian fishery products gain added value in the global market. “We must not just sell raw marine products. We must enter the processing industry to add value and competitiveness in the global market,” he explained. Furthermore, Ibas appreciated the continuity of maritime policies from one era to the next. He praised the foundation for strengthening fishermen’s institutions during President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s era and the policy direction of President Prabowo Subianto, which focuses on sea-based food security. “Maritime sector development is a cross-generational process. A strong foundation must continue to be carried forward to yield sustainable results,” he stated.