BLUE GOLD PROGRAM IMPROVES MALUKU FISHERMEN’S HARVEST

West Seram – The ‘Blue Gold’ Program, which was initiated by Kodam XVI / Pattimura for the people of Maluku and North Maluku, has been growing rapidly. Currently, groups of fishermen can directly enjoy the benefits of this program.

“Thank Allah, Kodam Pattimura’s ‘Blue Gold’ Program has greatly helped the people,” said the Head of Sinar Laut Fishermen Group, Herman Muzakir, at Pelita Jaya village, western Seram, Maluku, in an interview with detik.com last week.

Picture: Pattimura submersible dock

Program ‘Emas Biru’ adalah program pelatihan untuk nelayan. Pelatihannya berupa budidaya ikan dan membuat keramba (tempat ikan).

Baca: Tebar Benih Ikan, Menteri Susi Dukung Program ‘Emas Biru’ Kodam Pattimura

Herman mengatakan pelatihan dan pembinaan yang dilakukan oleh Kodam XVI/Pattimura sangat terasa bagi para nelayan. Buktinya, hasil panen mereka bisa meningkat 60-70 persen.

Picture: Pattimura submersible dock

The ‘Blue Gold’ Program is a training program for fishermen which includes fishery cultivation and marine cage construction.

Read: Sowing Fish Seeds, Minister Susi Supports Kodam Pattimura’s ‘Blue Gold’ Program

Herman said the training and coaching conducted by Kodam XVI/Pattimura is very beneficial for the fishermen. Evidentially, their harvest yield increased by 60-70%.

“Previously there was no yield increase because we were still amateurs with no training whatsoever. With these trainings, our growth rate can reach 60-70%,” he said.

They cultivate various types of fish, from coconut grouper, duck grouper, snapper, and even bubara. Each fish has different harvesting period, averaging between 5-6 months. The price of each fish also differs, as well as the harvest yields.

Picture: Pattimura submersible dock

Herman said, currently the harvest of coconut grouper fish cultivation can yield up to 2 tons. In average, the fish can be harvested after 5-6 months. With the current coconut grouper fish price of IDR 50,000 per kg, Herman can obtain IDR 100 million from each harvest. Meanwhile, for 1 tons of snapper fish harvest, at a price of IDR 50,000 per kg, Herman can get IDR 50 million profit

Read: Thanks to ‘Blue Gold’, this Civil Government Official Sends His Child to Medical School

Meanwhile, fisherman Dadi Suryadi extended his gratitude to Pangdam XVI/Pattimura, General Mayor Doni Monardo. The increase in harvest yield has improved the economy and welfare of the fishermen community of Pelita Jaya.

Picture: Pattimura submersible dock

“We would like to thank Pangdam General Mayor Doni Monardo who has guided our group with the Blue Gold program, and therefore succeeded in improving the fishery cultivation yield in these marine cages. We have benefited from the result,” he said.

In this program, Kodam XVI Pattimura also involved a non-commissioned officer (Babinsa) Sertu Ari Tomia as the coach for the village. Sertu Ari guided the fishermen so that the fishery cultivation yield keeps increasing.

“I showed them how to construct marine cages. About 65% of the people has been working as marine cage fishermen. Most of them has succeeded. We are implementing the Pangdam Pattimura’s Blue Gold Program among the people,” he explained.

Picture: Pattimura submersible dock

In regards to the ‘Blue Gold’ program, Kodam Pattimura currently owns 96 floating net compartments. In detail, 76 units are located in Waiheru and 20 units are spread across several villages in Ambon.

Meanwhile outside Ambon, 54 units are spread in Saparua, Nusa Laut, and Seram Isle. The Mid Class Fishery Business School (SUPM) owns 34 net units. Each unit has a size of 3 x 3 meters, and the existing types of fish are white snapper or barramundi and kueh fish or bubara, as well as various types of groupers.