Jakarta, 27 October 2021. PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata) is determined to continue developing the Laut Nusantara application to support the government's efforts to strengthen the digitalization of the capture fisheries sector. With this application, XL Axiata also hopes to help increase and equalize digital literacy among small fishermen, which eventually will help spur their productivity. In commemoration of the 22nd Anniversary of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) of the Republic of Indonesia held in Pulau Buku Limau Village, Manggar District, East Belitung Regency, Tuesday (26/10), the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, M.M. took the time to review how the Laut Nusantara application works.
The Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said, "This Laut Nusantara application is in accordance with the government policies in managing the Indonesian marine and fisheries sector in the long term which, among other things, aims to improve the welfare of fishing communities. Therefore, I highly appreciate the efforts of XL Axiata and BROL who have developed the Laut Nusantara application, which has proven to make it easier for small fishermen to catch fish in the sea. I hope this application can continue to be developed to maximize its benefits. If fishermen can be more productive, their quality of life will also improve. "
According to the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the ministry he leads is currently preparing a roadmap for managing the Indonesian marine and fisheries sector in the long term until 2045. This roadmap is a form of the Indonesian government's commitment through the KKP in applying the blue economy principles to the marine and fisheries sector that is sustainable for the national economic development. The implementation of the blue economy is the obligation of all parties, starting from the central government, regional governments, and the marine and fisheries communities. For this reason, according to him, a joint commitment is needed in presenting healthy Indonesian seas for national economic development.
Special Assistant to the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries for Media and Public Communication, Doni Ismanto said, "We are grateful for the role of XL Axiata that has been actively assisting traditional fishermen in catching fish through the Laut Nusantara application. We hope that digitalization in the capture fisheries sector will continue to be strengthened to make the fishermen prosperous and the sea healthy."
Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of XL Axiata, Marwan O Baasir, said, "Currently, there are around 55,000 active users of the Laut Nusantara application, the majority of whom are fishing communities spread throughout Indonesia. Together with the Marine Research and Observation Center (BROL), as well as other agencies such as BAKAMLA and a number of local governments, we also continue to disseminate information to more than 5,000 fishermen in 29 cities/regencies in various provinces regarding the use of this application. Our main goal is to hope that Indonesian fishermen will be able to improve their quality of life through the use of digital technology.”
According to Marwan, the widespread implementation of the Laut Nusantara application to various regions is part of XL Axiata's commitment to providing education and increasing digital literacy among small fishermen. This program is also in line with efforts to expand 4G networks to various corners of the archipelago, including to 3T (underdeveloped, frontier, outermost) areas, some of which are in coastal areas. In addition to continuing to expand its network, XL Axiata strives to help increase digital literacy among people who are still unfamiliar with the use of digital technology to increase their productivity.
To enliven the 22nd Anniversary of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia, XL Axiata awarded a number of Belitung fishermen for their persistence in fishing and their active use of the Laut Nusantara application. The awards given to fishermen were in the form of ten units of Laut Nusantara smartphones. Furthermore, XL Axiata also donated four units of wifi routers to assist Distance Learning (PJJ) in fishing villages.
The development of the Laut Nusantara application has now come to enriching features that can detect the location of fish species with high economic value. These fish are Bali Lemuru, Big Eye Tuna, Skipjack Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Bluefin Tuna, and Albacore. Currently, XL Axiata and BROL are also preparing a new feature to detect the presence of other high economic value fish.