Prabowo to Drive Away Foreign Vessels from Taking Fish in Indonesian Waters

President Prabowo Subianto has emphasised his commitment to ensuring that national fishery resources are fully utilised by Indonesia, not by foreign vessels.

This was stated by President Prabowo during his inspection of the Merah Putih Fishermen’s Village in South Leato, Gorontalo, North Sulawesi, on Saturday (9/5).

“We want it to be our people who catch the fish in our seas, not foreign vessels,” said Prabowo, as monitored via the live broadcast of the Presidential Secretariat from Jakarta on Saturday.

Prabowo stated that the government will begin building 1,582 fishing vessels this year. These vessels will later be distributed to fishermen’s groups through a cooperative system.

Prabowo emphasised that this step is being taken so that Indonesia’s marine wealth is no longer exploited by foreign parties.

Furthermore, the government under his leadership will carry out large-scale development of the fisheries and maritime sector through the concept of the blue ocean economy.

According to him, Indonesia’s marine potential is a great gift that must be managed optimally for the welfare of the people.

In addition to building vessels, the government also targets the massive construction of fishermen’s villages. This year, the government plans to inaugurate 1,386 Merah Putih Fishermen’s Villages across Indonesia.

Prabowo mentioned that Indonesia has around 12,000 fishermen’s villages, making this programme a major task that requires courage and policy consistency. The main goal of this programme is to improve the welfare of national fishermen.

“We are on the right path; our people must prosper. I want our fishermen to prosper; I want them to smile every day because their income is good,” he said.