Task Force Accelerates Rehabilitation of Ponds and Cages in Sumatra

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) following the Sumatra disaster is continuing to expedite the rehabilitation of disaster-affected ponds and floating cages in the regions of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, as part of the economic recovery for local communities. According to a statement from Satgas PRR in Jakarta on Monday, data from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries records a total affected pond area of 31,248.94 hectares across the three provinces. The breakdown shows Aceh as the most severely impacted province with 30,417.17 hectares, followed by North Sumatra with 575.27 hectares, and West Sumatra with 255.90 hectares. In addition, 2,053 units of floating cages were affected, with the largest distribution also in Aceh at 1,953 units, followed by West Sumatra with 60 units, and North Sumatra with 40 units. The significant impact has made the aquaculture sector one of the main focuses in post-disaster recovery, given that this sector forms the backbone of the economy, especially in coastal areas. Head of Satgas PRR Muhammad Tito Karnavian stated that they have included pond revitalisation in the priority agenda for recovery. “Some ponds were affected, such as those for shrimp and milkfish, particularly in coastal Aceh. Currently, they are being surveyed by the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and after Eid, they will be inspected directly to accelerate handling,” Tito said. Previously, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono stated that affected aquaculture ponds have been identified, and rehabilitation steps will be carried out immediately. The ponds and floating cages include commodities such as shrimp, milkfish, snapper, grouper, catfish, tilapia, carp, and pangasius. “Revitalising ponds is a priority so that aquaculture production can recover quickly and communities can resume their efforts,” Trenggono said. In the acceleration process, the government is also relying on name-by-name, address-by-address data collection from local governments. To date, most regencies and cities have submitted data, although some areas still need to speed up reporting so that the revitalisation process can be carried out optimally.