Aquaculture Fisheries Priority Targets and Programs in 2021

JAKARTA - The Directorate General of Aquaculture (DJPB), the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has targets and priority programs to increase aquaculture productivity in 2021.This was emphasized by the Director General of Aquaculture, Slamet Soebjakto, virtually when giving an explanation at the 2020 Evaluation and 2021 Plans for Aquaculture Priority Activities, which were held in Yogyakarta (22/12).According to Director General Slamet, for 2021 the aquaculture production target is around 19.47 million tons consisting of 7.92 million tons of fish and 11.55 million tons of seaweed, an increase of 1.03 million tons from the 2020 production target of 18. 44 million tons."Despite the pandemic era, we are used to the current pattern of working. Therefore, let's work optimally to achieve the targets that have been set, "said Slamet. In addition to consumption fish production, another target in 2021 is the production of ornamental fish, now coordination and cooperation with local governments both in the province/districts/municipalities must be initiated, in order to build synergies in the development of aquaculture in regional areas.“The need for ornamental fish also increases from year to year for both domestic and export. So with the regions, establish cooperation both for cultivation and business so as to contribute to economic improvement both for cultivators and the region, "said Slamet.

In addition to the production target, what is no less important is improving the welfare of the cultivators. "The Covid-19 pandemic is still the scourge of a general economic downturn in all sectors. It is hoped that the aquaculture sector will become one of the pillars of the community's economic revival. The trick is how to increase the income target of cultivators, so that they can be more independent and established. This is where all of us work and of course we all have to be passionate about achieving that target,” said Slamet.

One of the priority programs for aquaculture is self-feeding. Slamet hopes that in the future, independent feed will be more strategic and able to increase aquaculture production. There are more and more fish cultivators to produce feed independently.

"I frankly give a very big appreciation and thank you because the growth of independent feed is very fast and we will continue to support this program," said Slamet.

Besides that, in 2021 through the broodstock center network, in order to prepare superior parents. "With superior broodstock, we can get good seeds, so that cultivation production can be further increased," said Slamet.

"Therefore, the smooth realization of the program requires an acceleration strategy as well as continuous coordination and collaboration with all stakeholders at the central and regional levels to ensure the development of aquaculture can be carried out quickly, effectively and efficiently. In accordance with the targets that have been set," continued Slamet.

"Meanwhile, other components that are prioritized are licensing issues and cultivator insurance. Especially for shrimp farming licensing. Then for cultivator insurance, we need to invite cultivators to participate in insurance in order to reduce losses for cultivators due to crop failure caused by disease or natural disasters," explained Slamet.

As for this year's achievements, according to Slamet, we really appreciate the UPT and all stakeholders for what has been done in helping to improve aquaculture. Hopefully in the future it can be better and better, so that the expectation of aquaculture can be a support for food security and economic recovery can be realized.

"I personally appreciate the temporary aquaculture PNBP target of 103%, the performance of the UPT by distributing seed aid in the regions, and for the achievements of the programs that have been implemented," said Slamet.

Besides that, what is no longer important is the strengthening of data and information as well as the Standard Procedures and Criteria Norms (NSPK) in the context of improving aquaculture governance. Therefore, KKP is developing more accurate, accountable and updated data in the future.

Advisory Coordinator to the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Prof. Rokhmin Dahuri said that in the midst of a pandemic like now, we must be sure why aquaculture is suitable as a prime mover, leading sector, or superior sector. Because, as the largest archipelagic country in the world with 75% of its total area being sea and 28% of its land area being freshwater ecosystems (lakes, dams, rivers, and swamps), Indonesia has the largest aquaculture production potential in the world, around 100 million tons/day. year which until now has only been used about 16%.

“Now it's only about 16%, it's still very little. That's why we can still encourage it to increase further in the years to come, "explained Prof. Rokhmin.

In addition, continued Rokhmin, by definition aquaculture does not only produce animal protein in the form of fish, shrimp, mollusks. But once again, raw materials for various types of industries can also be provided by aquaculture, so the potential for aquaculture is extraordinary.

“The future of our fisheries is in aquaculture. That's why it's important to have careful planning to continue working on its potential so that the productivity of our aquaculture can continue to increase," he said.

Marine practitioner Prof. Laode M. Kamaluddin, said that in order to realize the program and performance, it must be supported by valid data. Because data has a strategic role, especially in today's digital era, data is the determining factor.

“If there is no data, it is called a hoax or fake news. So this is where the important role of the data itself, "said Prof. Laode.

Therefore, the role of data and information becomes very important in the MPA for the development of systems for planning, monitoring, evaluating performance and reorganizing data. Especially for the development of aquaculture which really wants to continue to increase its productivity.

"For a ministry class such as the KKP, it is appropriate and proper to have big data to evaluate, plan programs and initiate fisheries and marine development programs such as aquaculture improvement programs that can be accessed from time to time making it easier to plan and target programs and increase fishery production from year to year. to years," said Laode.