Fishery Products Market Analyst, Associate Expert at the Marketing Directorate of the Directorate General of Strengthening Competitiveness of Marine and Fishery Products at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, Erwin Dwiyana, noted that the need for food, including fish, will continue to rise in accordance with the growth in population.
The ministry noted that in 2020, the need for fish for a total population of 270.2 million people reached 13.7 million tons, or 50.7 kg per capita.
Assuming a population growth rate of 1.25 percent, fish consumption is projected to increase as well. Thus, when Indonesia's population is projected to reach 319 million by 2045, its fish demand will rise in proportion to reach up to 17.4 million tons.
"This potential provides an opportunity to encourage (the growth in) fish (produce) in general and sustainable fish (produce) to continue to be promoted," he remarked.
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On the other hand, the current trend of fish capture production is stagnant and even tends to decline as compared to aquaculture.
"Aquaculture is projected to increase, and this is the reason why we need to encourage and promote sustainable seafood production," he noted.
The notion is backed by OECD data on the projection of world fish demand that stated that the largest stocks of fish in 2029 would be supplied from aquaculture.
"This also reinforces the projection that aquaculture will contribute in future. The Maritime Affairs and Fishery Ministry is currently concerned about this aspect. Hence, we encourage the development of aquaculture as a priority," he remarked.
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Translator: Ade Irma J, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Suharto
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