Port Authority: Jenebora Fishermen Must Coordinate with Ministry Over Protests
Rifaldy and others admit to using names of academic institutions. Rifaldy and others admit to using names of academic institutions. The protest action by Jenebora fishermen in Penajam District, Penajam Paser Utara Regency, East Kalimantan, against industrial ships operating in the Karang Solet waters has drawn serious attention from the Class I Balikpapan Port Authority and Port Operations Office (KSOP). The authorities have urged fishermen to prioritise coordination mechanisms in line with existing regulations.
Captain Weku Frederik Karuntu, Head of KSOP Class I Balikpapan, stated on Sunday (31 May) evening that issues arising from industrial ships anchoring in fishing areas should first be reported to the relevant fisheries oversight agency.
“We urge the fishing community to follow established coordination procedures. They should first coordinate with their overseeing agency, namely the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) through the Directorate General of Marine Resources and Fisheries (PSDKP), as well as provincial and regency fisheries departments,” Captain Weku said in a statement received on Monday (1 June 2026).
According to Weku, resolving conflicts in maritime areas involves multiple stakeholders, including the KKP, Ministry of Transportation, Polairud, Indonesian Navy, and local governments. Cross-sector coordination is crucial to ensure that any decisions made have a solid legal basis and do not create new issues.
He also warned that unilateral actions at sea could lead to misunderstandings during enforcement by authorities. However, Weku acknowledged that the fishermen’s placement of tomba (traditional sea markers) on Friday (29 May) successfully drew public and relevant agency attention.
“I notice their overseeing agency is not actively responding to fishermen’s complaints. Instead, fishermen are reporting issues to the Transportation Ministry or KSOP, not the technical overseeing agency,” he added.
The Chairman of the Indonesian Fishermen Alliance (ANI) Jenebora Community, Ramadhan, explained that the placement of tomba in the Karang Solet area is a symbol of protection for coral shrimp export fishing grounds. Fishermen feel their living space is threatened by the presence of industrial ships anchoring in the area.
Jenebora fishermen have stated they will take stricter action if their demands are not promptly addressed by the government. One planned measure is a one-day blockade of sea access to the Terminal for Private Use (TUKS) owned by industrial companies in the area.
“The fishing community has prepared follow-up actions if their demands do not receive a clear response from relevant parties. One is a plan to block sea access to the Terminal for Private Use (TUKS) owned by several industrial companies for one day,” Ramadhan concluded.