4 Indonesian Fish from Sea Catches is the Biggest Commodity

With its vast marine potential, it is not surprising that many of its marine resources can be explored for the benefit of the country’s economy and the health of its people. A lot of marine catch can be used to meet the demand for domestic consumption of marine products such as fish, shrimp, crab which provide nutritional and health benefits to the people of Indonesia.

Tongkol/Eastern Little Tunas Tongkol

fish is one type of fish/marine animal that is mostly produced from marine fishing. There are 2 types of tuna, namely Auxis Thazard (Frigate tuna) and Euthynnus Affinis (Mackerel tuna). Geographically, these fishing areas are scattered in various areas from Java, Sumatra, to Papua.

Table of Provinces with the Largest Tuna Production in 2017

Source: Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, 2020

Indonesian cob production in 2017 reached 417,009 tons with East Java province as the largest producer of cob, which is around 62 thousand tons, Riau Islands with 50 thousand tons, Bangka Belitung Islands with 45 thousand tons, West Sumatra with 41 thousand tons, and Papua with 34 thousand tons. Seasonally, usually, the peak period for tuna fishing is November to February.

In Indonesia, tuna is one of the favorite fish species of Indonesian people. This type of fish is widely used as a source of protein with various processing and culinary methods such as Pepes Tongkol, Balado Tongkol, rendang Tongkol, Mangut Tongkol, and various other culinary delights.

Apart from meeting domestic needs, tuna from Indonesia are also exported to foreign countries such as Japan, the United States, Thailand, and other countries.

Potential of Lobster in Indonesia and its Producing Regions

Cakalang/Skipjack Tunas

Cakalang/Skipjack Tunas is the 2nd largest fish/marine animal species after tuna with a catch of 467 thousand tons in 2017. Most areas for catching Cakalang fish are in Eastern Indonesia, namely Maluku Island, Sulawesi, and Papua.

Table Ranking of Provinces with the Largest Skipjack Fish Production in 2017

Source: Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, 2020

In 2017, in more detail, the Cakalang fishing area is spread across several provinces in Eastern Indonesia. Maluku Province produces the largest skipjack production with an output of 76 thousand tons, Gorontalo Province with 51 thousand tons, Central Sulawesi with 50 thousand tons, North Sulawesi with 46 thousand tons, and Papua with 44 thousand tons.

In Indonesia, skipjack tuna is also widely processed into various culinary delights. Culinary based on skipjack is often found such as Cakalang Fufu from Manado, Bakmi Cakalang, Cakalang Yellow Rice, and various other Indonesian culinary delights. Apart from meeting domestic needs, skipjack tuna from Indonesia are also widely exported to several countries such as Japan, Thailand, the USA, Saudi Arabia, and Italy.

Shrimp/Shrimp

Shrimp is the 3rd largest marine captured commodity produced by the State of Indonesia. In 2017, total shrimp production reached 400 thousand tons. If viewed from the species, there are various types of sea shrimp that are widely produced from Indonesia, namely tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), white leg shrimp (LitopenaeusVannamei), Jerbung shrimp (Penaeus Merguiensis), and reborn shrimp (Acetes).

Table Ranking of Provinces with the Largest Shrimp Production in 2017

Source: Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, 2020

In 2017, there were several provinces that were central to shrimp fishing. The provinces include North Sumatra with an output of 119 thousand tons, followed by West Kalimantan with 37 thousand tons, East Java with 31 thousand tons, South Sulawesi with 23 thousand tons, and West Sumatra with 21 thousand tons.

In Indonesia, shrimp has become one of the favorite seafood culinary delights. A variety of Indonesian culinary delights include shrimp in serving food. Some of the prawn culinary include sweet and sour shrimp, prawn in Padang sauce, prawn Gado-Gado Rica, prawn curry, prawn peanut brittle. Thus, the chili paste which is one of the important ingredients in Indonesian culinary uses fermented shrimp as a raw material in the manufacturing process

Tuna Fish/Tuna Fish Shoots

rank next as the most species caught in Indonesia’s marine areas. In 2017, the catch output reached 293 thousand tons. Various types of tuna produced are yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), bigeye tuna (Thunnus Obesus), Albacore (Thunnus alalunga), bluefin tuna (Thunnus Maccoyii), long tail tuna (Thunnus Tonggol).

Ranking table with the province’s Largest Tuna Production Year 2017

Source: Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, 2020

In 2017, there were some of the largest tuna producing provinces in Indonesia. These provinces include Maluku with a catch output of 66 thousand tons, Papua with 51 thousand tons, DKI Jakarta with 27 thousand tons, North Maluku with 24 thousand tons, and Gorontalo with 23 thousand tons. Apart from meeting domestic needs, tuna is also exported abroad.

In Indonesia, many tuna fish are processed for a variety of culinary delights such as tuna with spicy and sour sauce, yellow spice tuna, tuna soup. In addition, many tuna fish are processed/sold in cans, processed into smoked tuna, and various other types of processing.