[WSMDiscuss] Indonesia - Analysis of The Covid-19 Impact on The Socio-Economic Life of Small-Scale Fishers and Aquaculture

[indralubis4]

*Analysis of The Covid-19 Impact on The Socio-Economic Life of Small-Scale Fishers and Aquaculture*(Reporting of DPD / DPW KNTI as of 8 April 2020)Jakarta, April 10th, 2020Small-scale fishers and aquaculture have an important role and become a mainstay in sustaining national food sovereignty. In Indonesia, fishery products provide 54% of all animal protein consumed. Contribution to job creation is also very important in which the number of fishery business operators, directly or indirectly, is very large. The capture fisheries sector is estimated to provide more than six million of employment directly and indirect employment for millions of others. 97 % of the total number of fishers in Indonesia, when viewed from the size of the ship <10 GT are small scale fishermen. Fishermen's role in the economy of this country is quite large, but not on the living conditions of fishermen or their families. 2.7 million fishermen in Indonesia are on the threshold of the poverty line so this contributes 25 percent to the national poverty rate. Around 53% families in coastal region live below the poverty line. It certainly becomes a specific characteristic of the vulnerability of coastal workers in the socio-economic context, especially in the outbreak of Covid-19. Widespread of Covid-19 has not been accompanied by awareness and knowledge of fishermen and coastal communities about the impact that will be caused. Dissemination of information and education from the government is also considered insufficient. So many coastal residents are still confused and do not understand the purpose of government policies, for example, the implementation of physical distancing, or the prohibition of fishing in the morning, or limiting space leading to confusion for the fishermen.To find more about the impact of the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic on small-scale fishers and aquaculture, the KNTI DPP conducted a survey conducted from March 31, to determine conditions on the field, particularly from KNTI regional administrators in various regions. Temporary data submitted by 18 KNTI regions (Bulungan-North Kalimantan, Serang-Banten, Semarang-Center Java, Demak-Center Java, Maumere-East Nusa Tenggara, Manggarai Barat-East Nusa Tenggara, Lombok Timur-West Nusa Tenggara, Indramayu-West Java, Pangandaran-West Java, Surabaya-East Java, Gresik-East Java, Lamongan-East Java, Sumenep-East Java, Tulang Bawang-Lampung, Bintan-Riau Island, Kepulauan Seribu-Jakarta, Aceh and Medan-North Sumatera), in general fishermen and farmers are complaining about the impact of Covid-19. Most regions reported a significant decline in fish prices. The market of the catch is also a big obstacle at this time because many fish collectors do not serve or at least limit the purchase of fish from fishermen. It has caused many fishermen and fish farmer who are overwhelmed to sell their catch, while the destination country for Indonesian fisheries exports is also "lockdown". It occurs because the decline interests people in buying the fish so the market (TPI) is quiet which is one of due to the implementation of the physical distancing policy.If we ignore, conditions like this will get worse. When fishermen go to sea they will difficult to find buyers of their catch. Even if someone buys it, the price offered is definitely very cheap so the fund for them to go back to the sea will be reduced and even losers. Meanwhile, fishermen also complained that operational costs such as fuel prices are still scarce in some areas and also expensive. This makes more difficult for fishermen to go fishing. In addition, they need to pay for living costs such as buying food necessities which at this time the prices are increasing in several locations. Other additional costs are also needed due to the pandemic of this virus, such as buying disinfectants. It means that the operational costs of going to sea during the Pandemic period are relatively rising, while the income of fishermen has decreased.In addition to expensive fuel prices and capital difficulties in going to sea, another obstacle is the administration of ships. This was felt by members of fishermen who are in the district of North Semarang, Semarang City, Central Java. The same is felt by fish farmers, where they find it difficult to fish juvenile, fish feed, feed supplement, and vaksine. As stated by fish farmers in Pangandaran-West Java, West Manggarai-East Nusa Tenggara, and Tulang Bawang-Lampung.KNTI identifies several efforts that the government can do including:1.	Central Government and Local Government are encouraged to conduct massive education on the fishermen and aquaculture community about the impact of Covid-19 on health. Prevention efforts need to be made in fishing villages such as spraying disinfectants, mass testing, mask distribution, and so on;2.	Encouraging the existence of a special scheme for fishermen and farmers in dealing with Covid-19 by integrating the purchase scheme of fishery products produced by small-scale fishers (in the upstream) with the strengthening of the national fish logistics system. That way, the function of the state in maintaining people's purchasing power, protecting the economics of fishers families, maintaining the availability of protein supply, so that strengthening the national fisheries economy in the midst of the Covid-19 outbreak will be maintained and running well;3.	Central Government and Local Government as soon as possible do a refocusing and reallocate funds, specifically, programs aimed at protecting and preventing the impact of Covid-19 for fishing and cultivating communities, including the preparation of social safety net schemes for fishing families;4.	Encouraging digitization of fisheries businesses, both downstream. In the long term, digitalization will expand the market access of fishery products to national or international markets. At the same time cut the fish trade chain which has been too long and is often a fish for fish farmers. In the short term, digitalization will support the efforts of the government and we all oppose the spread of Covid-19. Fisheries organizations, fisheries business associations, governments and local governments need coordination to improve the process of digitizing this national fishery;*Center Executive Board of Indonesian Traditional Fisherfolk Union (DPP KNTI)*Website: www.knti.or.idTwitter: @dppkntiInstagram: nelayan_bersatuFacebook: knti.nelayantradisionalContact person: Dani Setiawan (Chief Executive Board of KNTI): 08129671744, bungdani05 at gmail.comDikirim dari ponsel cerdas Samsung Galaxy saya.
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