Rising sea costs make fishermen in Serang village more dependent on equipment support

Fishermen in Desa Terate, Serang Regency, Banten, are facing mounting challenges as the costs of going to sea continue to rise, while the yields from their catches remain unpredictable. This precarious situation has made external support for fishing equipment a crucial pillar for the survival of traditional fishing businesses.

Robani Hambali, chairman of the Berkah Bahari Jaya Cooperative, stated that fishing gear assistance provided by PT Multi Nabati Asahan (Wilmar Group) since 2019 has been instrumental. The program, channeled through the cooperative which now has 215 members, includes nets, boat hulls, and biofloc ponds, helping fishermen sustain their productivity amidst increasing expenses and fluctuating income.

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Fishing equipment assistance is very helpful for fishermen because operational costs continue to increase, while catches are not always stable.

Beyond rising costs, fishermen grapple with changing weather patterns and economic pressures. These factors are leading some to seek alternative employment in the growing industrial and factory sectors within Banten. Hambali noted that the conditions for fishing are becoming increasingly difficult, prompting a desire for additional support in areas like fish cultivation and livestock farming to provide supplementary income sources.

The cooperative hopes for further support, particularly in the form of business capital, to offer alternative livelihoods beyond fishing. Byron Oswald, Head of Industrial Estate at Wilmar, affirmed the company's commitment to community welfare programs, emphasizing that the support for fishermen is part of a broader effort to strengthen the local economy in the coastal region. Wilmar plans to maintain open dialogue to identify and address the most relevant community needs.

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The conditions for going to sea are now increasingly difficult. Many fishermen are starting to look for other jobs in factories. Therefore, we hope in the future there will be support for other business developments such as fish farming or animal husbandry so that the community has additional sources of income.