Indonesia fisheries exports reach $3 billion in first half of 2026

Indonesia’s fisheries sector showed significant growth in the first half of 2026. Fisheries exports reached $3 billion, totaling 566,250 tons, with products being shipped to 152 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Key commodities driving this performance include whiteleg shrimp, seaweed, tuna, and various crab species.

National fisheries production reached 6.78 million tons in the second quarter of 2026. This includes 1.79 million tons from capture fisheries, an increase from the first quarter. To support this productivity, the government is implementing a strategic program to build 1,582 modern fishing vessels by 2028 to replace aging fleets.

Despite economic gains, challenges remain regarding maritime security and oversight. Experts at a national seminar emphasized the need for an integrated national maritime surveillance system. Current efforts involve various agencies using radar, Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), but there is a critical need to unify this data to improve early warning capabilities and operational decision-making in Indonesia’s vast waters.