Government Optimistic About Prospering the Community Through the Blue Economy
JAKARTA – The government continues to optimize the implementation of the blue economy as the main strategy to improve community welfare and maintain environmental sustainability. Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono emphasized that synergy between the government, academics, and the community is very important in accelerating the implementation of the blue economy in order to achieve food security and the welfare of fishermen.
In the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership at the Muhammadiyah University of Jakarta, Trenggono invited Muhammadiyah cadres to play an active role as agents of change in the implementation of the blue economy policy.
“I invite Muhammadiyah cadres as Muslim intellectuals to accelerate the blue economy policy for the sustainability of marine resources and community welfare,” said Trenggono.
The blue economy policy carried out by KKP emphasizes ecology as the commander with main programs including the expansion of marine conservation areas, quota-based fishing, development of sustainable aquaculture, supervision of coastal areas and small islands, and reduction of plastic waste in the sea through the Bulan Cinta Laut program.
Support for the blue economy also came from Member of Commission XII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Christiany Eugenia Tetty Paruntu, that the downstreaming of the blue economy must be able to open up employment opportunities, increase economic inclusiveness, and provide justice for the community.
“President Prabowo Subianto’s government must ensure that the downstreaming of the blue economy has a broad impact, not only on economic growth but also in creating sustainable jobs,” said Christiany.
The government is targeting an investment realization of IDR 13,528 trillion in the next five years with the hope of creating 3.74 million new jobs. President Prabowo Subianto has also launched 15 mega downstream projects by 2025 to accelerate the growth of the blue and green economic sectors.
Meanwhile, a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the PKS Faction, Saadiah Uluputty, appreciated the commitment of the Governor of Maluku in encouraging the blue economy as a regional development strategy. According to him, the Eastern Indonesia region has great potential in the marine sector that needs to be maximized for the welfare of the people.
“Our seas are vast, the potential for fisheries and tourism is very promising. The blue economy paradigm must be implemented immediately to support sustainable economic growth,” said Saadiah.
As the largest archipelagic country with a water area of 6.4 million km2, a coastline of 108,000 km, 17,504 islands, and a population of 140 million people living in coastal areas, Indonesia must place the sea as the front yard and the epicenter of national development, especially to realize Indonesia Emas in 2045.
With the strategic steps that have been implemented, the government is optimistic that the blue economy will be the main solution in realizing community welfare while maintaining the sustainability of marine resources for future generations.
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