SUKABUMI (October 1, 2023) - The Acting Director General of Social Empowerment Beni Sujanto accompanied by the Acting Director of Community Empowerment Radik Karsadiguna held a meeting with fishermen groups, Muara Tani Bahari Cooperative, District Social Welfare Workers (TKSK), Professional Social Workers/IPSPI, Comunity Social Workers (PSM), Village Supervisory Non-commissioned Officers (Babinsa/Babinkamtibmas), and community leaders to discuss the proposed assistance for fishing equipment for fishermen and empowerment of marine product processing in Cikahuripan Village, Cisolok District, Sukabumi Regency, West Java Province.

In his direction, the Acting Director General of Social Affairs delivered assistance to empower fishermen groups in accordance with Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) so that it can be used to increase the level of welfare and income so that they can escape poverty/extreme poverty.

"TKSK is requested to provide assistance in both the follow-up assessment process and monitoring and evaluation," said Beni Sujanto.

Beni further said that Cisolok fishermen are homogeneous, and have strong attachments and relationships because of the local population. Cisolok fishermen can be coordinated with the Department of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs regarding strengthening fishermen's capacity, and the potential for fisheries sciences can also be explored with higher education institutions.

This empowerment assistance stems from the fish catch potential of fishermen of around 100 kg per day, where so far, fishermen are still fishing and netting sea fish traditionally. The boat engines (Gantar Machines) owned by fishermen also cannot be used optimally because the southern sea conditions have high waves so they require engines (Outboard Machines) that can be used in high wave situations.

For this reason, with the potential for abundant marine products, development support is needed by providing production tools for fishermen groups processing marine products in Sukabumi Regency.

Another thing that is emphasized is that the point is that fishermen can sell their super quality fish to supermarkets or hotels directly without going through middlemen, the second quality can be sold at local fish auctions, and the next quality can be processed into fish balls, fish floss, fish sauce or fish flour. So that all fish caught can be sold and have economic value to improve and increase fishermen's income as directed by the Minister of Social Affairs.