Pandeglang Fishermen Continue to Sail Despite Mount Anak Krakatau's Alert Level 3 Status

The elevation of Mount Anak Krakatau’s status to alert level III has not affected the activities of fishermen in Pandeglang Regency, Banten, who continue to sail in search of fish. ‘The fishermen are carrying on as usual, continuing their activities without any obstacles,’ said Jumami, Deputy Chairman of the Labuan Branch of the Indonesian Fishermen’s Association (HNSI), when contacted on Sunday (5/7/2026). Jumami stated that his organisation has merely urged fishermen to remain vigilant and cautious. The HNSI has not yet issued a circular requesting fishermen to cease fishing activities in relation to the increased activity of Mount Anak Krakatau. ‘The main point is to remain careful because there is an advisory, but everyone is still going out to sea,’ he added. Jumami noted that fishing activities will continue as long as conditions permit. He said the fishermen are striving to meet their families’ living needs. ‘If we are banned from going to sea, who will guarantee the fishermen’s livelihoods?’ he remarked. Jumami acknowledged that some fishermen and residents are worried upon hearing that the volcano, located in the middle of the sea, has been raised to alert status. However, he said they are accustomed to such events. ‘The concern is still there. But eruptions of Anak Krakatau are not new; they have occurred several times in the past, so the fishermen are used to it,’ he said. Jumami revealed that the fishermen are complaining about dwindling incomes. According to him, fish catches have declined by around 5 to 10 per cent over the past few months. ‘The current complaint is actually the lean season; that is what the fishermen are feeling now. The decline is about 5 per cent to nearly 10 per cent,’ he stated. Head of the Pandeglang Regional Disaster Management and Fire Department (BPBD-PK), Riza Ahmad Kurniawan, urged residents to remain vigilant and not to easily digest information regarding the volcano’s activity. He also called on the public to monitor official information from the BPBD, the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. ‘Residents in coastal areas should remain calm and not believe rumours claiming that the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau will cause a tsunami. The public can carry on with their normal activities while following official information from PVMBG, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, and BPBD,’ said Riza.