Ambon City Distributes Fishing Aid to Boost Fishermen's Income

The Ambon municipal government delivered a range of fishing equipment, including 10 tonda fishing rods, motorized trawlers, fish cages, and 6.9 tonnes of feed, to numerous fishing cooperatives and aquaculture groups in Galala Village. Mayor Bodewin Wattimena emphasized the aid is intended to raise catch volumes, increase earnings, and improve coastal livelihoods, urging recipients not to sell the resources.

The city also introduced digital fisheries services through the SIRIP IKAN platform and proposed four districts for the 2026 Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih program, while issuing electronic boat registration documents to qualify for subsidised fuel.

Wattimena said the assistance will be an annual allocation, aiming to sustain higher productivity and lower poverty among Ambon's fishing communities.