TIMIKA. The Papuan provincial administration, in cooperation with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, will expand several fishing ports in the province.

"Among the fishing ports to be renovated were a 74-hectare (ha) Lampu Satu Port in Merauke, Paumako in Timika, Hamadi in Jayapura, and Wadibu Anggobi Port in Biak," said F. X. Motte, Head of the Papuan Fishery Office, Monday (31/7).

The Lampu Satu Port will be developed into the Nusantara fishing port (PPN), and so Hamadi Port. While Paumako Port into a Coast fishing port, and Wadibu Anggobi into an Ocean fishing port (PPS).

"We have discussed this matter with the ministry. Hopefully, a ministerial decree on the expansion of fishing ports will be issued in the near future," Motte remarked.

The upgrade in the status and capacity of these fishing ports is crucial for the development of the fishery industry in Papua.

Papua is expected to export fish from Biak when the construction of the PPS, to be located in Wadibu, Oride Sub-district, is completed.

"We hope Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti would visit Papua to review the fishing ports of Paumako in Timika, Lampu Satu in Merauke, and Hamadi in Jayapura, as well as Pandoi in Biak," he stated.

The Wadibu Anggobi ocean fishing port, measuring some 40 ha, will be able to accommodate up to 100 fishing boats.

In fact, the 56-ha Paumako fishing port has been ready since 2016 but has not been optimally operational, as it needs a fuel station.

"As long as we know, the Paumako fishing port in Timika is almost complete, but it just needs a fuel station. It already has clean water supply, an ice factory, and fish storage facilities," he noted.

Motte said, a local businessman is interested in running a fuel station in Paumako.

Editor: Sanny Cicilia