"The Marine and Fisheries Ministry has agreed to designate East Ogan Komering Ulu as a pilot area for fishing village development," the district's Livestock and Fisheries Office Head, Tubagus Sunarseno, confirmed in Martapura, South Sumatra, on Sunday.
Sunarseno remarked that the decision to name East Ogan Komering Ulu District as a fishing village is in accordance with the district’s status as a major basa fish producer in South Sumatra Province.
"Indonesia only has one village specialised in basa fish farming, which is Yosowinangun Village, Belintang Sub-district, East Ogan Komering Ulu," he noted.
On account of these factors, the central government agreed to name the district as the pilot area to develop a fishing village specializing in basa fish farming in a bid to improve the quality of life of the village residents, Sunarseno remarked.
He explained that the final development plan and budget for the fishery village project had been allocated in the budget plan finalized in September next year.
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Sunarseno stated that the project plan involved development and improvement of the production capacity of local-made fish feed products apart from development of the existing main basa fish farm in the region.
To expedite the project, his office will coordinate with the Marine and Fisheries Human Resources and Research Office of the ministry and request personnel from the office for assistance in the area.
"The ministry is already providing an excavator for expansion of fish farm ponds in the district. They will also offer assistance and personnel to support the development of new fish hatcheries," he affirmed.
Meanwhile, East Ogan Komering Ulu District Head Lanosin Hamzah praised the ministry for extending support as his district was one of the largest producers of basa fish in South Sumatra Province apart from Prabumulih City.
"I ensure that the district is ready to develop freshwater fish farming as mandated by the central government and the ministry," Hamzah emphasized. Related news: UI conducts ecotourism development in Bungin fishing village
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Translator: Edo Purmana, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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