"We want to increase independence in all economic sectors by providing concrete solutions to build the marine world, including for fishermen," PBNU Chairman H Umarsyah said in Labuan Bajo on Friday.
He made the statement at a press conference on celebrations for the 96th anniversary of the NU (Harlah), which will be held in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
One of the Harlah activities involved a direct visit to a group of fishermen assisted by NU in Warloka Village, Komodo District, West Manggarai, as a form of synergy between NU and the Indonesian Government through the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, he informed.
In the maritime economy, there is still no balance between the fishing and aquaculture sectors, he said. The capture fisheries sector has not yet fully received government support, such as capital and technological transformation, he underlined.
Fishermen have also not been able to access bank credit schemes to build production facilities in the aquaculture sector, he added.
In addition to minimal capital, the facilities and infrastructure owned by fishermen are also inadequate, Umarsyah said. This can be seen from the condition of fish auction places (TPIs), which do not support the productivity of fishermen, he added.
As a result, the quality of fish produced by fishermen is unable to compete in the national and international markets, he said.
There is also no trading system for marine fish that favors fishermen, so the price is determined by buyers unilaterally, he pointed out. There has been no affirmative policy from the government that could answer the fishermen's problems, he added.
To help the sector overcome these problems, PBNU will provide assistance in terms of capital, technological transformation, skills improvement training, and partnership mediation, namely through models that bring entrepreneurs in the marine sector and fishermen together, he said.
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Meanwhile, Nasyirul Falah Amru, another chairman in the PBNU central executive board, said that the board is not only talking about running the program, but also carrying out activities focused on the community.
PBNU is concerned about the maritime sector because the fishing community is still marginalized, he explained.
A concrete step to help the sector has been realized by PBNU through the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the board, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, he said.
"PBNU took direct action to give enthusiasm and spirit to the community," he remarked.
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Translator: Fransiska M, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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