Indonesian Fishermen Struggle as Fuel Prices Soar
REPORTER:
Fresh fish makes its way ashore in the Indonesian fishing hub of Juwana.
REPORTER:
From this harbor, a fleet of 1,600 boats journeys out into the Java Sea—some on eight- to nine-month expeditions, catching mackerel and tuna destined for export.
REPORTER:
But a distant war in the Middle East has sent diesel prices soaring—and with fuel accounting for up to 80% of boat operating costs, the profit margin for fish has disappeared. In April, only around a quarter of boats here were fishing—the rest docked as prices keep rising.
REPORTER:
There’s painting and repair work to keep crews somewhat busy—but with no fish, there’s no pay.
Suroso (BOAT CREW MEMBER):
It’s a very heavy burden, because when we are at home we have no income. As fishermen, once we return to land, we have no other skills. It’s difficult to find work onshore—we don’t have the connections or experience.
REPORTER:
And boat owners don’t have it much better: they have crews to pay, and their boats don’t mean much if they aren’t making money.
Akhiq Falih Al Arif (BOAT OWNER):
If we stop, we die. If we continue, we also die. Right now we’re stuck—we’re still fighting and hoping that the government, especially President Prabowo, will introduce policies so fishermen can go back to sea.
REPORTER:
That’s a hope many here share.
Eko Budiono (PATI FISHERMEN ASSOC.):
We understand the current global situation, but is there no policy from the government to sustain business sectors that support Indonesia’s economy?
REPORTER:
If things don’t turn around soon, it won’t just be Indonesia feeling the impact. The country is the world’s second-largest producer of fish, and when fuel shortages force its fishing fleet to stay in port, the world’s fish supply falls too—another unintended consequence of a war thousands of kilometers away.
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