The Nabire Regency Government, Central Papua, has officially launched the Sea Market for Excellence Regional Economy or Semeru program as a strategic step to alleviate poverty in coastal areas. This program is specifically designed to break fishermen's dependence on middlemen, who have historically suppressed the selling price of their catch.
Head of Bapperida Nabire, Mukayat, explained that this initiative will focus on five districts identified as poverty pockets, namely Yaur, Moora, Napan, Teluk Umar, and Wapoga. Based on data, the poverty rate in these areas reaches 34 percent, far above the regency's average poverty rate of around 22.65 percent.
The main obstacles faced by coastal fishermen are high logistics costs and difficult access to downtown markets. The Semeru program serves as a solution by facilitating direct meetings between fishermen and buyers, while also optimizing the role of the Fish Landing Port (PPI) to absorb marine products on a larger scale.
This strategy is built on three main pillars: expanding market access, integrating across Regional Government Organizations (OPD), and digitalizing the economy. Through a specialized application, fishermen can now transparently monitor market price information and transaction data, in addition to being encouraged to create added value through the diversification of processed seafood products, such as fish floss.
Vice Regent of Nabire, Burhanuddin Pawennari, expressed his full appreciation for this collaborative approach. He hopes that synergy between relevant departments, from the fisheries sector to communication and informatics, can transform Nabire's vast marine potential into real economic strength that sustainably improves the welfare of coastal communities.
