The Integrated Maritime Fisheries Center (SKPT) of Biak Numfor Regency, Papua, exported seven tons of Yellowfin tuna to Japan. The number of exports is from early 2023 to early April 2023. The biggest exporter is Biak Numfor Regency. Biak Numfor exports tonnes of tuna to Japan as part of its fishery program.
Fresh tuna exports to Japan through Narita International Airport start to reopen every week. The statement is from the Head of the Biak Numfor Fisheries Service, Effendi Igrida. He stated that they only export fresh tuna.
Effendi said that SKPT Biak is the one that accommodates the demand for fish. SKPT Biak receives orders from Japan for fresh tuna. Then, it reaches out PT Indo Numfor Pacific. This company is the one that processes the fish before getting exported.
Process of Tuna Fish Export in Biak
Before they export fish to Japan, the tuna unloaded undergoes an integrated cold chain process. The industry will dispose of gills, guts, and grading of sashimi at the Fish Processing Unit (UPI).
In addition, they have quality control officers to ensure only the best quality of fish. The officers will check the quality, starting from the texture and color of fresh tuna meat.
Therefore, the Biak Numfor fishermen play a part only in catching and gathering the fish. The rest of the process is the responsibility of the Fish Processing Unit. After that, the Fish Processing Unit will send the chosen fish to PT Indo Numfor Pacific for export.
Plan for Tuna Export in Biak
The Yellowfin tuna export to Japan shows significant progress, so the government plans to improve the infrastructure and all related aspects of the export process.
This is to support the progress and ensure only to get the best fish for export. In addition, the Biak Fisheries Department is building a Fish Landing Base (PPI), building infrastructure at PPI Fandoi. They also add procurement facilities in 100 3GT vessels. Then, they add better equipment—for example, fishing gear, refrigerated vehicles, freezers, and boxes to maintain the quality of fish.
Not only do they add more equipment, but fish distribution is also improving. There are Fando Fish Market in Biak City and Bosnik Fish Market in East Biak district to distribute fish from the fishermen.
Therefore, the distribution of fresh fish directly from the easy will be easier. Then there will be more export requests from Japan and possibly other countries if Biak maintains the fish quality.
Impact of Increasing Export Number
As more and more fish get delivered to Japan, it indirectly also helps to boost the economic condition for Biak fishermen. With the help of better equipment, fishermen can gather more Yellowfin tuna. The accumulated number of fish reaches tonnes of them.
With more Biak Yellowfin tuna export stock, there are also more fish to export to Narita airport. Hopefully, it will be the main gear of improving Biak fishermen who live below the means. Also, the export system will educate them more in fishing.
The positive impact does not only affect the fishermen but also other indigenous people there. Fish sellers at the market and those working at the fish factory get better income. Thus, improving their lives in general.
Seeing how Biak Numfor exports tonnes of tuna to Japan can greatly affect the number of people living in Biak, this is a good start. Other regions may need to adapt this and make Papua more globalized. It is time to break free from the stigma that Papua is an underdeveloped province.
