Indonesia is strengthening fisheries infrastructure in Papua as part of a broader effort to increase exports and develop a sustainable blue economy in the eastern region. National and regional authorities are investing in ports, cold storage and supply chain improvements to better utilise the province’s significant marine resources. Officials say the strategy aims to retain more economic value locally, improve logistics for export markets and support coastal livelihoods while maintaining sustainable fisheries management.
According to an official report, Papua’s marine resources have the potential to produce around 1.3 million tonnes of fish annually, particularly in the northern waters of Fisheries Management Area (WPP) 717. However, limited infrastructure has prevented the region from fully capturing the export value of its fisheries sector.
Infrastructure Gaps Limit Local Processing
Iman Djuniawal, Head of the Papua Provincial Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office, said much of the fish caught in Papuan waters is transported to other regions for processing due to the absence of large-scale fishing ports and adequate cold storage facilities.
This arrangement reduces the economic benefits retained locally and lengthens supply chains. Local processing could significantly increase the value generated from Papuan fisheries and improve efficiency in distribution.
To address these challenges, the provincial government is upgrading the Hamadi Fish Landing Base (PPI) in Jayapura into an integrated fisheries centre. The site, currently used primarily for unloading catches, is expected to support processing, distribution and trading activities once redevelopment is complete.
With only about two hectares of land available, planners are adopting a vertical development approach to accommodate multiple activities in a compact area. Officials expect this design to increase operational efficiency while overcoming space limitations.
Supporting Traditional Fishermen and Increasing Production
Another structural challenge lies in the composition of the local fishing workforce. Data from the regional government shows that about 90% of fishermen in the area are traditional operators. The sector includes 1,181 fishermen, of whom 256 are indigenous Papuans.
Traditional fishing methods can limit both the scale and consistency of supply required by export markets, which often demand large volumes that meet strict quality standards.
To address this, the government is implementing programmes to strengthen fishermen’s capacity. These include providing fishing equipment, training programmes and institutional support for fishermen’s groups. The initiative aims to improve productivity while ensuring catch quality meets international market requirements.
The measures support Papua’s target of producing 230,000 tonnes of fisheries output by 2026 across both capture fisheries and aquaculture sectors, contributing to food security as well as export growth.
Developing Ports and Supply Chain Logistics
Large-scale fishing ports form a central part of the strategy to improve supply chain logistics. These facilities are expected to function as integrated hubs for landing, storage and distribution, enabling Papuan fisheries to reach export markets more efficiently.
The government is also encouraging greater downstream processing to increase product value. Currently, many fisheries exports consist of raw materials with relatively low market value.
Recent exports illustrate the potential for higher-value processing. Papua recently shipped 17.8 tonnes of processed tuna products to the United States, including frozen yellowfin loin, ground meat and poke cubes. The shipment was valued at around Rp1.9 billion (US$108,000), demonstrating the region’s ability to meet international demand.
Quality Control and Digital Export Systems
Quality assurance is a critical requirement for international seafood trade. Fitriah Haji Ali, Acting Head of the Jayapura Marine and Fisheries Product Quality Control and Supervision Center (PPMHKP), said monitoring covers the entire value chain from fishing activities to final distribution.
Exported fisheries products must meet global standards such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification and other regulatory requirements set by destination markets.
Quarantine authorities also verify documentation, conduct physical inspections and perform laboratory testing before export shipments are approved. These procedures ensure compliance with international health and food safety regulations.
To streamline the process, the government has introduced the Single Submission Quarantine Customs (SSmQC) system, which integrates quarantine and customs services. The system reduces the export approval process from ten stages to three, cutting processing time by up to 73%. The initiative reflects Indonesia’s wider efforts to modernise public systems and improve efficiency, similar to broader initiatives aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure and services across the economy.
Long-Term Fisheries Development Strategy
The Papua Provincial Government is developing a fisheries sector roadmap extending to 2040. The plan focuses on expanding production, strengthening infrastructure and improving governance across the industry.
Beyond tuna, authorities are also promoting additional export commodities including seaweed, crab and reef fish. Seaweed production in particular is expected to expand in districts such as Yapen, Supiori and Biak Numfor.
Officials view these initiatives as part of a broader effort to improve economic resilience in eastern Indonesia. Strengthening supply chains and digital systems alongside physical infrastructure aligns with national priorities to modernise public services and technological capacity, including programmes supporting digital capability development across the country.
With sustained investment and cooperation between government agencies, industry and coastal communities, policymakers expect Papua’s fisheries sector to become a more significant contributor to regional economic development while supporting sustainable management of marine resources.
