Over 12,000 Villages in Indonesia to Utilize the Sea for Capture Fisheries in 2024

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), in 2024 there were approximately 12,968 coastal villages, or 15.39% of all village-level administrative areas in Indonesia. Given this situation, the sea is utilized for community economic activities.

Last year, for example, BPS recorded 12,117 coastal villages utilizing the sea for capture fisheries. Furthermore, 3,874 coastal villages optimized the sea for public transportation.

Meanwhile, 3,756 villages were recorded as utilizing the sea for aquaculture, 2,331 villages optimized the sea for marine tourism, and 518 villages maximized the sea for salt ponds.

According to BPS, this data shows that more than half of the coastal villages utilize the sea for capture fisheries. This sector also absorbs the most labor.

This is because, based on data from the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), in 2023 the number of capture fisheries fishermen was approximately 3.20 million, consisting of 2.77 million sea fishermen and 0.43 million inland freshwater fishermen.

However, coastal areas face challenges such as sea pollution caused by industrial, agricultural, and domestic waste, especially plastic waste. According to BPS, this poses a serious threat to Indonesia's marine ecosystem.

“The impact of sea damage on the economic sector most significantly affects fishing communities whose economic livelihoods heavily depend on sea conditions. Sea pollution results in a decrease in fishermen's catch in several areas,” said BPS.