Buleleng’s Fisheries Sector Urged to Embrace Industrial Approach

Minister Trenggono backed the plan, naming milkfish as a national strategic commodity, alongside shrimp, lobster, crab and saline tilapia.

Professor Rokhmin Dahuri calls for modernising traditional ports and boosting aquaculture to drive economic growth.

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono (right) with House of Representatives member Prof. Rokhmin Dahuri at the National Aquaculture Consolidation and the inauguration of MAI Bali’s regional board, held at UNDIKSHA University, Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

BULELENG, BALI — Professor Rokhmin Dahuri, a member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives (Commission IV), has proposed an industrial strategy to develop Buleleng Regency’s underutilised marine resources, aiming to strengthen the local economy. 

Speaking at the National Aquaculture Consolidation event on Wednesday (9/7)—held alongside the launch of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Aquaculture Society (MAI) at Undiksha University—Rokhmin stressed the need to modernise traditional fishing ports into integrated industrial hubs.

“Fishing ports shouldn’t just be docking areas; they must evolve into full-scale industrial zones,” said the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) professor, addressing Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono and local officials.

With more than 150km of coastline, Buleleng has significant untapped potential in fisheries. Rokhmin argued that prioritising the sector could reduce unemployment, improve nutrition, and support sustainable growth.

“Managed properly and equitably, this could be transformative,” he said.

Minister Trenggono backed the plan, naming milkfish—a local staple—as a national strategic commodity, alongside shrimp, lobster, crab, saline tilapia, and seaweed. He also highlighted Sylvo-Fishery, a mangrove-integrated aquaculture system, as a key initiative under the Revitalisasi Tambak Pantura programme, citing its suitability for Buleleng’s coastal ecosystem.

The event also saw Buleleng Deputy Regent Gede Supriatna inaugurated as MAI Bali’s chair for 2025–2030. Bali Legislative Council Speaker Ketut Ngurah Arya and Undiksha Vice Rector Prof. I Wayan Artanayasa were among the attendees.