JAYAPURA – Papua Governor Matius D. Fakhiri stated that Papua’s fish consumption rate has reached 75.78 kg per capita per year, a figure far above the national average.

“This shows that our people have a strong habit of eating fish, while also reflecting an economic potential that continues to grow,” Governor Fakhiri said during the commemoration of the 12th National Fish Day at the governor’s office courtyard on Tuesday (25/11).

Therefore, the governor continued, through the momentum of National Fish Day, the Papua Provincial Government emphasizes several strategic points: increasing public understanding of the nutritional benefits of fish, strengthening the health of Papuan families, and improving access to nutritious food.

This also includes supporting MSMEs, fishermen, and fish processing units in Papua, as well as building an inclusive and sustainable fisheries-based economic ecosystem.

“Let us make National Fish Day the starting point of a major movement to ensure that every household in Papua provides fish as the main source of family nutrition,” he said.

The governor also stated that the Papua Provincial Government is currently implementing a grand vision of a “New Papua Transformation that is Advanced and Harmonious.” This vision is translated into three core missions: Healthy Papua, Smart Papua, and Productive Papua.

Through Healthy Papua, the government is committed to improving the population’s nutritional status and preventing stunting—an issue that remains a national concern. National data show that stunting prevalence was still at 19.8 percent at the beginning of 2025.

Thus, effective cross-sectoral interventions are needed, including encouraging fish consumption as an affordable and accessible source of protein under Smart Papua.

“By encouraging Papuan children to eat fish regularly, we are preparing the emergence of superior human resources toward the Golden Generation 2045,” Governor Fakhiri said.

Meanwhile, Productive Papua calls for maximizing the region’s economic potential. The fisheries sector, he added, is a tremendous blessing for Papua. ***