MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – Indonesia’s fishing industry is grappling with a serious challenge: a dwindling number of young fishermen. This trend poses a significant threat to the long-term sustainability of fishing traditions and the overall health of the industry.
In response, the Muhammadiyah Council for Community Empowerment (MPM) is urging for a renewed focus on attracting young people and millennials to the fishing sector. The MPM recognizes that engaging young talent is crucial for ensuring the industry’s viability in the years to come.
MPM Chairperson M. Nurul Yamin emphasized the significance of the fishing industry for Indonesia, a nation blessed with vast maritime resources and a long history of fishing. However, despite this potential, the majority of Indonesian fishermen continue to struggle financially, living below the poverty line.
“We are confronted with a paradoxical situation,” Yamin explained during a discussion titled “Protecting Fishing Traditions” held by MPM on Sunday, May 26, 2024. “On the one hand, we have a large youth population. On the other hand, we are faced with a high rate of unemployment.”
Yamin cited data indicating that there are approximately 70 to 10 million young Indonesians who are currently unemployed. While unemployment is a nationwide concern, the fishing and agricultural sectors are experiencing a particularly acute shortage of young workers.
Several factors are contributing to the declining interest among young Indonesians in pursuing a career in fishing. These factors include the limited use of modern fishing technologies, inadequate safety measures for fishermen, and the increasing unpredictability of traditional fishing methods due to environmental changes.
The MPM’s involvement in fishing communities goes beyond simply advocating for their needs and raising awareness. It also serves as a platform for Muhammadiyah’s efforts to promote enlightened and progressive preaching within these communities, focusing on both the fishing industry and the people who rely on it.
Suadi, Head of the Fishermen and Coastal Communities Division of the MPM, presented data from a survey he conducted on the perceptions of young people in the South Java coastal region regarding fishing. The survey revealed a concerning trend: the majority of young people hold negative views of fishing as a profession, with very few expressing positive perceptions. This highlights the urgent need for a collaborative effort to address this issue and change these negative perceptions.
