Jakarta Fishermen Demand Integrated Port and Cold Storage Facilities

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Traditional fishermen in Kalibaru, Cilincing, and Marunda (KCM) in North Jakarta are urging the government to establish an integrated fishing port equipped with cold storage facilities. The infrastructure is deemed critical to supporting maritime operations and improving the livelihoods of artisanal fishers across North Jakarta.

The demands come amid aggressive coastal development along Jakarta's northern shoreline, which fishermen say has significantly encroached upon their traditional fishing grounds. As a result of these narrowing territories, fishers are forced to venture further out to sea, driving up operational costs and fuel consumption.

"However, we highly appreciate President Prabowo Subianto's attention toward small-scale fishermen, including the planned cold storage assistance to support the fisheries sector," said the Advisor to the Cilincing Fishermen Association, Muhamad Tahir, when interviewed on Friday, May 22, 2026.

According to Tahir, cold storage infrastructure is vital to maintaining the freshness of catches, which directly enhances the market value of the fish. He emphasized, however, that such facilities will only be effective if constructed alongside dedicated fishing docks and fish-landing sites.

"If the fishing communities are equipped with a dedicated port for traditional fishers, providing cold storage assistance will be immensely helpful. It will boost the economic value of the catch, ensuring the fish remains fresh," he noted.

He stressed that building cold storage facilities without the backing of an integrated port would yield sub-optimal results. "The cold storage facility must be situated adjacent to the fish unloading and docking areas," he added.

Tahir pointed out that the Kalibaru, Cilincing, and Marunda areas still lack integrated cold storage and port facilities, despite long serving as the hub for traditional fishing activities in North Jakarta.

"There used to be a cold storage facility, but because the docking and fish-unloading areas were not integrated, its management fell short of maximum potential," he explained.

Beyond infrastructure deficits, fishermen also lamented the broader impact of northern Jakarta's coastal development. Projects such as the construction of a sea toll road and coal terminal expansions are cited as key factors swallowing up local fishing zones.

Consequently, fishermen now face longer voyages to secure a catch, which significantly inflates operating expenses, particularly for fuel. Given these mounting pressures, the fishing community has put forward several urgent demands.

These include accelerating the construction of the integrated Kalibaru, Cilincing, Marunda fishing port tied to local economic hubs, upgrading fishing gear to enable safer deep-sea voyages, and guaranteeing the stable supply of subsidized fuel.

Meanwhile, Lawmaker of the House of Representatives Commission IV, Usman Husin, voiced strong support for President Prabowo Subianto's directive to construct cold storage units under the Kampung Nelayan (Fishermen's Village) program. He viewed the policy as a tangible step by the administration to uplift the welfare of coastal communities across Indonesia.

On the other hand, Usman warned that this strategic project must be strictly monitored from end to end. He stressed that the expansion of these facilities must remain highly transparent to eliminate any loopholes for corruption or misallocation.

"We hope this program is swiftly rolled out to all corners of Indonesia. However, we also request that the construction process be tightly supervised to prevent any irregularities," concluded Usman. (Annaila Azzahra/EN)