Seaweed (IST)
Jayapura, 10/3 (Jubi) – The seaweed industry in Yapen Islands has become an income resource for local communities but the local government government has not done anything to support it.
“Surrounded by the sea, the local community has developed a home industry of seaweed. Unfortunately, they don’t have the support of the local government,” said a member of the Papuan Legislative Council (DPR Papua), Erwin Reinaldi Kbarek, on Monday (10/3).
He said local people are not yet capable of selling seaweed in large quantities and increase production.
“People are just planting and harvesting the seaweeds in small scales prices of raw seaweed are low,” he said.
He said the local government should pay attention to the industry’s potential.
“The Department of Fishery should help people improve their skills in seaweed cultivation, while the Department of Industry and Cooperation should focus on the marketing sector,” he said.
Earlier, a resident of Yapen Island, Simon Wanggai said he has cultivated seaweed for a few years and it has served as an additional income source for his family.
“I am a fisherman, catching fishes is what I do in the first place. After returning from the sea and selling my catches to the Market in Serui, I will help my wife to take care of our seaweed cultivation,” he said. (Jubi/Arjuna/rom)
