Opportunity to export fish directly from the Outermost Islands of Indonesia: exploring value chain and power dynamics in fisheries

Anta Maulana Nasution, . and Viga Ananda Wicaksono, . and Intan Adhi Perdana Putri, . and Awani Irewati, . and Imam Prakoso, . (2024) Opportunity to export fish directly from the Outermost Islands of Indonesia: exploring value chain and power dynamics in fisheries. Asian Fisheries Science Journal (Malaysia), 37. pp. 102-114. ISSN 2073-3720

The fishers in the outermost islands of Indonesia have an abundant fish catch but local markets have limited capacity to absorb large quantities of fish which limits the potential economic returns to the fishers. This research examines the current fishing value chain in the Sangihe and Talaud islands, which are considered the outermost locations in Indonesia. The study also investigates the roles and influence of each participant within the value chain and the potential for direct export of fishery goods from these islands, bypassing transit points. The contemporary fishing value chain, power dynamic, and fishery direct export issue were investigated through a series of interviews with relevant actors, field observations, and focus group discussions. The results show that the fishing value chain experiences congestion due to the absence of alternative channels for fishers to directly sell their catch, hence relying solely on intermediaries. It also found that fishers have a heightened vulnerability as they lack the capacity to negotiate seafood pricing. Sangihe and Talaud islands are favourable locations for the direct export of fishery goods to General Santos in the Philippines, which provides a potential viable solution for the expansion of the fisheries markets. Currently, the Sangihe local administration is taking steps to implement the direct export of fishing products. The General Santos Fish Port Complex authority and other fishing firms in General Santos have responded favourably to this initiative. These initiates suggest that the outermost regions of Indonesia should be capable of influencing its geographical proximity to export destination countries for fostering economic development within the region.

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Abstract

The fishers in the outermost islands of Indonesia have an abundant fish catch but local markets have limited capacity to absorb large quantities of fish which limits the potential economic returns to the fishers. This research examines the current fishing value chain in the Sangihe and Talaud islands, which are considered the outermost locations in Indonesia. The study also investigates the roles and influence of each participant within the value chain and the potential for direct export of fishery goods from these islands, bypassing transit points. The contemporary fishing value chain, power dynamic, and fishery direct export issue were investigated through a series of interviews with relevant actors, field observations, and focus group discussions. The results show that the fishing value chain experiences congestion due to the absence of alternative channels for fishers to directly sell their catch, hence relying solely on intermediaries. It also found that fishers have a heightened vulnerability as they lack the capacity to negotiate seafood pricing. Sangihe and Talaud islands are favourable locations for the direct export of fishery goods to General Santos in the Philippines, which provides a potential viable solution for the expansion of the fisheries markets. Currently, the Sangihe local administration is taking steps to implement the direct export of fishing products. The General Santos Fish Port Complex authority and other fishing firms in General Santos have responded favourably to this initiative. These initiates suggest that the outermost regions of Indonesia should be capable of influencing its geographical proximity to export destination countries for fostering economic development within the region.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	fisheries
AGROVOC Term:	fish trade
AGROVOC Term:	fishery resources
AGROVOC Term:	exports
AGROVOC Term:	foreign trade
AGROVOC Term:	research
AGROVOC Term:	data analysis
AGROVOC Term:	economic development
AGROVOC Term:	fishery management
Geographical Term:	Indonesia
Uncontrolled Keywords:	direct export, fisheries management, Sangihe Island, Talaud Island, fishers, middlemen, fish processing unit
Depositing User:	Nor Hasnita Abdul Samat
Date Deposited:	29 Jan 2026 06:39
Last Modified:	29 Jan 2026 06:39
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2534

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