NTT Provincial Government Accelerates Implementation of e-BKP for Fishermen in Alor Regency
Kupang, NTT (ANTARA) - The Nusa Tenggara Timur Provincial Government (Pemprov NTT) is accelerating the implementation of the Electronic Fishing Vessel Book (e-BKP) for fishermen in Alor Regency to improve vessel legality and facilitate access to fisheries business services and protections.
“This socialisation is a concrete step by the government to realise orderly administration, legality, and modernisation of fishing vessel data management across all regions of NTT, including the Alor archipelago which is rich in marine resource potential,” said the Head of the Capture Fisheries Division of the Provincial Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office, A. Andy Amuntoda, in his statement in Kupang on Saturday.
He conveyed this during a socialisation event together with the Indonesian Society and Fisheries Foundation for vessel owners, skippers, and fishermen’s groups in Kabir, Alor Regency.
He explained that e-BKP is an official digital document replacing the physical vessel book, containing complete data on vessel identity, ownership, technical specifications, licensing history, and vessel data changes, integrated into the national system of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.
“So far, we know there are many obstacles such as damaged documents, lost ones, difficult to renew, unsynchronised data, and lengthy processes. With e-BKP, everything changes. Data is stored securely, accessible anytime, processing is faster, and directly connected to the central system. In Alor, due to its island nature, we prioritise this ease of access so that fishermen do not have to go far to big cities just to handle documents. This is our form of service bringing services closer to the community,” he said.
During the event, participants received explanations on the definition and benefits of e-BKP as a nationally recorded valid document, as well as the requirements and procedures for handling it through the official website.
In addition, participants were equipped with guidelines for filling and updating data, and its linkage to vessel licensing and GT-based mooring fee calculations.
He added that data from e-BKP also serves as an accurate basis for policy formulation, fish resource management, and calculation of port service levies such as mooring and berthing fees, calculated based on the formula of base rate multiplied by GT of the vessel multiplied by duration, in accordance with applicable regional regulations, transparently and clearly.
“The ultimate goal is one legal vessel, safe fishermen, increasingly prosperous businesses, and our seas preserved for sustainability. We are committed to continuing to go down to the regions, not just socialisation but also direct assistance, so that there are no more vessels in NTT sailing without valid documents,” he emphasised.
The event was attended by 70 fishermen who are vessel owners in Alor and also involved the process of data entry and issuance of three e-BKPs which were handed over to the vessel owners. All participants committed to promptly completing and converting their vessel documents to e-BKP.