Papua Tengah and Uncen Advance Sustainable Fisheries Planning in Mimika

Papua Central is partnering with Cenderawasih University to assess the future of fisheries in Mimika, seeking to align public investment with current conditions, vessel needs and the sector’s expanding economic potential. The feasibility study, planned for 2026, will update earlier research conducted by Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in 2018.

Its findings are expected to guide decisions on port services, dock expansion and infrastructure capable of supporting fishing communities and regional growth.

The initiative reflects a broader shift toward evidence-based development in one of Indonesia’s most productive maritime zones. Mimika’s waters, part of Fisheries Management Area 718 in the Arafura Sea, are recognized as a highly fertile fishing ground, where fishing activity is already substantial.

For Papua Central, the challenge is to convert that natural advantage into durable local value through better facilities, stronger planning and infrastructure designed around real operating conditions.

Building Infrastructure Around Reliable Data

As adapted from reporting by ANTARA News Papua Tengah, Carlos Matuan, head of Papua Central’s Fisheries and Marine Affairs Agency, said the new study is needed because activity in Mimika’s waters has grown and existing planning must be brought up to date. The assessment will examine the condition and potential of the area, the operational requirements of fishing vessels and changes in the structure and function of local ports.

This approach is intended to ensure that future construction responds to measurable demand rather than relying solely on older projections.

The research will help determine whether facilities at Pomako require expanded docking capacity and upgraded port services. Such improvements could make it easier for vessels to land catches, obtain essential services and move products through the regional supply chain, while improving the conditions in which fishers and maritime workers operate.

By placing technical analysis at the center of investment decisions, the provincial government is laying the groundwork for infrastructure that can remain useful as fleet activity and production evolve.

The partnership with Cenderawasih University also brings academic expertise closer to the communities and businesses that depend on Mimika’s waters. A feasibility study conducted with field conditions in mind can capture practical constraints that may be missed in high-level planning, including access, port layout, vessel movements and service capacity.

That collaboration offers a model for linking regional government, higher education and productive industries in support of more inclusive and resilient development.

Extending the Fisheries Network to Nabire

The province is also preparing plans for a new or improved dock at the Waharia Fish Landing Center, known as PPI Waharia, in Nabire. Planning is scheduled for 2026, with physical construction targeted for 2027, and will be carried out with a third-party partner rather than through the university arrangement used for the Pomako assessment.

Together, the two projects indicate an effort to build a more connected fisheries network spanning Papua Central’s key coastal production areas.

The scale of the opportunity is reflected in the province’s reported catch production of 26,116 metric tons through October 2026, sourced from marine waters and inland public waters. Marine production comes from Nabire and Mimika, giving both districts a central role in the province’s fisheries economy.

More capable landing points and ports could support better handling, reduce logistical bottlenecks and improve the prospects for local enterprises involved in processing, transport, equipment and trade.

From Maritime Potential to Shared Prosperity

The government’s planning agenda is significant not only because of the volume of fish available, but also because infrastructure determines how much of that value remains in the region. Well-designed facilities can help connect fishers with markets, strengthen public services around landing sites and create opportunities for young people seeking work in marine logistics, processing and other supporting industries.

At the same time, updated studies provide a basis for integrating operational efficiency with responsible management of a valuable coastal resource.

For Papua Central, the cooperation with Cenderawasih University marks a practical step toward turning fisheries potential into long-term socioeconomic progress. The combination of refreshed data, university-backed analysis and planned investment in Pomako and Waharia can help the province expand connectivity while making development more responsive to local needs.

As these plans move from study to implementation, their success will depend on maintaining rigorous planning, transparent execution and a commitment to ensuring that coastal communities share in the benefits of Papua’s maritime growth.