Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The Indonesian Traditional Fishermen's Union (KNTI) highlights the declining welfare of national fishermen in recent years. The Chair of KNTI, Dani Setiawan, said the Fishermen's Exchange Rate (NTN) has been decreasing since 2022.
"Data from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) shows a downward trend in the NTN since 2022. Although there has been a slight improvement in August 2025 compared to the previous year, the fishermen's conditions remain worse than during the pandemic," Dani said in a written statement commemorating World Food Day on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
Based on KKP data, the fishermen's exchange rate was recorded at 104.69 in 2021, increased to 106.45 in 2022, then decreased to 105.4 in 2023, 101.76 in 2024, and slightly improved to 103.45 in 2025. This decline, according to Dani, indicates that fishermen's income is not proportional to the increasing cost of living and sea-keeping costs.
The fishermen's exchange rate shows how the selling price of their catch compares to their production and consumption costs. If the NTN decreases, it means the purchasing power and welfare of the fishermen are weakening.
Dani stated that fishermen play a crucial role in providing national marine products. However, this important role does not match their welfare. "More than half of Indonesia's animal protein needs come from fishermen's catches," he said.
According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), in 2022, the poverty rate in coastal areas reached 17.74 percent, affecting around 3.9 million people. This figure far exceeds the national average. KNTI believes this indicates that the development of the maritime sector has not addressed the root of the economic problems facing small-scale fishermen.
This condition is exacerbated by high operational costs, difficulty accessing subsidized fuel, fluctuating fish prices, and the impact of climate change on the catch. "Many fishermen are forced to borrow from middlemen or reduce the frequency of sea trips because they cannot afford the costs," Dani said.