Indonesia's BRIN pushes blue circular economy in Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih

Researcher Andrian Ramadhan of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) outlined a blue circular‑economy model for the Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih (KNMP) fisher‑village during a discussion in Jakarta. He said the coastal area faces a waste crisis—from plastic debris to discarded fishing gear and organic by‑products—and proposed converting these materials into high‑value outputs such as chitosan from crab shells, fish‑feed from unsellable fish waste, and fuel via pyrolysis.

Ramadhan also warned that KNMP must pair physical infrastructure with precise social engineering. He highlighted the entrenched role of local middlemen (juragan) who bind small‑scale fishers through debt, making a shift to program‑run processing facilities difficult. He urged an integrated, ground‑up approach that respects existing social realities while introducing new, sustainable income streams for coastal communities.