RI Govt surveys 82 proposed fishing village sites in Riau Islands

Tanjungpinang (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry has begun topographic surveys at 82 proposed sites in Riau Islands Province for the Red and White Fishing Villages (KNMP) program, a national initiative to modernize coastal communities.

“A topographic survey is a mandatory requirement for preparing detailed engineering designs under the KNMP program,” Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad said in Tanjungpinang on Tuesday.

The surveys cover 17 locations in Natuna, 18 in Lingga, 10 in Bintan, 20 in Anambas Islands, nine in Karimun, and four each in Tanjungpinang and Batam.

Ansar urged all stakeholders to actively support efforts to accelerate KNMP development across the province.

He said district heads and mayors will meet Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono after the surveys conclude to discuss implementation of the priority program.

Ansar noted the initiative is particularly important for Riau Islands, where waters account for about 98 percent of the province's territory.

He said the village-based program aims to modernize and develop coastal communities across Indonesia.

“With proper planning, coastal residents can improve their welfare and strengthen local economic growth. The program is highly relevant to Riau Islands,” Ansar said.

Luki Zaiman Prawira, assistant for economic and development administration at the provincial secretariat, said three KNMP fishing villages have been established in Batam.

Development is continuing at another site in Natuna District and is targeted for completion by July 2026, he added.

Each village will receive Rp20 billion, equivalent to about US$1.23 million, from the state budget, Prawira said.

The villages will be equipped with productive infrastructure, including docks, fishing boat fueling stations, ice plants, and cold-storage facilities.

The program, which targets 2,000 villages in 2026, also supports the development of culinary centers, training facilities, and logistics kiosks.

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Translator: Ogen, Tegar Nurfitra

Editor: Rahmad Nasution

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