RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia is strengthening efforts to improve its marine sector by developing skilled maritime human resources. The initiative was highlighted during the inauguration of the Ocean Institute of Indonesia in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, said Indonesia possesses abundant marine resources compared with neighboring countries. However, he noted those resources have yet to deliver greater prosperity for fishermen and the wider community.

He said one of the biggest challenges is the limited number of skilled human resources in the marine sector. According to him, the Ocean Institute of Indonesia is expected to help address that challenge.

Zulkifli said strengthening maritime human resources is essential to increasing the value of Indonesia's marine economy. He believes better education and training will help maximize the country's vast marine potential.

"We have extraordinary marine resources compared with Thailand and Vietnam. Yet they have brought only limited benefits to our people's welfare. One of the key challenges is the availability of skilled human resources. Today, the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries has responded to that challenge through the establishment of the Ocean Institute of Indonesia," he said.

The Ocean Institute of Indonesia integrates 11 vocational higher education institutions under Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP). Each campus will maintain its specialization while operating within one collaborative education framework.

The inauguration also marked cooperation agreements with 17 strategic partners, including universities, defense institutions, businesses, and industries. The partnerships will support education, applied research, technology development, and maritime human resource capacity.

Indonesia expects the initiative to strengthen its maritime workforce and improve the long-term competitiveness of its marine and fisheries sector. The effort also supports sustainable development of one of the country's most important economic resources.