NABIRE — The Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) plans to develop Red and White Fishermen’s Villages (KNMP) in four (4) regencies in Central Papua Province by 2026.
The four fishing villages are Nabire and Mimika Regencies, which are areas with active capture fisheries, and Paniai and Deiyai, which are for freshwater fishers who currently operate in Lake Paniai, Lake Tage, and Lake Tigi.
The program was confirmed during a meeting between the KKP and the Central Papua Provincial Government in the Deputy Governor’s meeting room, led by Herman Kayame, ST, MT, the Governor’s Expert Staff for Economic and Development Affairs, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Acting Head of the Central Papua Province Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Agency, Dr. Karlos Matuan, S.St.Pi, MM, stated that of the four regencies targeted by this program, 16 potential locations for the Red and White Fishermen’s Village have been submitted to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP).
“So, since last year, we at the Central Papua Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Department have been assisting communities in submitting proposals for the Red and White Fishermen’s Village. Of these 16 proposed locations, the exact number of approved locations is still pending verification results from the KKP survey team, particularly regarding land status issues, road access, and electricity availability. Approval is guaranteed,” Karlos told the media via cell phone.
According to Karlos, the Red and White Fishermen’s Village is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship programs. This program aligns with the priority programs of Central Papua Governor Meki Nawipa, SH, which are geared towards optimizing fishing ports, improving fishing ports, providing Cold Storage and Air Blast Freezer (ABF) infrastructure, and planning for fish exports from Timika in 2026.
“In this Red and White Fishing Village, each district will have a hub or central hub, while the others will serve as supporting fishing villages. For example, in Nabire, the central fishing village is planned to be built in Sanoba, while in Mimika it will be in Pomako. All catches will be brought to the central fishing village and sold through the Red and White Cooperative,” he said.
Karlos added that this program is not simply a new face for fishing villages, but a concrete step by the government to improve the productivity and welfare of fishing communities, including in Central Papua. However, several conditions must be met according to technical guidelines issued by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
“All fishermen who receive benefits will become members of the Red and White Village Cooperative. And their catch will be sold through the cooperative. That’s one of the requirements for having to go through the cooperative. So, the data on the beneficiary fishermen is truly fishermen. Previously, there were some who were not fishermen but received assistance with boats and fishing gear, which they ultimately sold,” explained this Baliem Valley native.
He emphasized that in the Red and White Fishermen’s Village, various facilities such as fishermen’s kiosks, fish auction places, machine repair shops, and fish freezing facilities will be available to support fishermen’s activities in a sustainable manner.
