SARMI – Acting Governor of Papua Ramses Limbong launched the XI National Fish Day (Harkannas) in Sarmi Regency, Friday (25/10/2024).

The activity was at PELNI Port, Sarmi Village, Sarmi District, Sarmi Regency.

Acting Governor Limbong hopes that through the momentum of Harkannas XI, all parties in Papua are committed to realizing sturdy, independent and sovereign food security.

"Fish as a food source in fulfilling the nutrition of the Papuan people, in addition to containing protein, fish also contains high vitamins in supporting the nutrition improvement program in the first thousand days of children's lives in the context of forming the quality of productive and competitive human resources," he said.

Therefore, he continued, efforts to increase fish consumption are not only the task of the government and technical agencies but also a joint task in improving the quality of healthy, strong and intelligent human resources in Papua.

In addition to the success of implementing the declaration of National Fish Day at the Papua provincial level in Sarmi Regency, my presence here (Sarmi) is to see the implementation of government, development, and community services in Sarmi Regency, especially national strategic programs such as inflation control and stunting handling.

"To reduce stunting, we appeal to the public to like to eat fish, especially to children, because fish is a high source of omega and protein. Therefore, fish is perfect to consume, especially pregnant / breastfeeding mothers so that children are not stunted," he said.

Acting Regent of Sarmi, Iman Djuniawal, said that stunting data in Sarmi based on SSGI/SKI data in 2023 increased by 0.9 percent to 26.6 percent, while the prevalence of stunting according to EPPGBM as a result of simultaneous interventions in June 2024 was 29.06 percent and it decreased by 0.97 percent to 28.09 percent in September 2024.

Thus, Iman emphasized efforts to increase fish consumption. Based on data on fish consumption in Papua of 75.72 kg per capita, it is therefore expected in the future with the support of all parties.

"Today we are launching National Fish Day which will be on November 21, we hope that this activity can increase fish consumption in Papua," said Iman who is also the head of the Papua Provincial Marine and Fisheries Service.

At the event, the Acting Governor and Chairperson of Family Empowerment and Welfare, Mrs. Kardina Ramses Limbong also handed over assistance in the form of additional meals for toddlers, early childhood education, kindergarten and elementary school, 20 packages of food from the Papua Social Service, Population and Civil Registry. Bapanas Food Rice Assistance is 47.53 tons.

Then assistance from the Manpower, Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Office, the provision of 2 units of covered houses, 2 fish drying covered houses and 1 package of bamboo woven SME equipment.

The Health Office provides 55 cartons of SGM milk assistance for 0-6 months, 152 cartons for 6-12 months, 50 maternity packages, 20 cartons of Supplementary Food for pregnant women and 3 cartons for toddlers.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Office and PM-PTSP provided 30 lights, the Plantation and Livestock Service synergized in providing coconut seeds, fertilizers and stimulants for land clearing in the Sawar group.

The Marine and Fisheries Service assists with boats, outboard motors and fishing equipment (4 packages), Pokmaswas boat assistance (1 package), assistance with equipment and fish marketing facilities (2 packages), the Archives and Library Service provide children's story books, picture books and coloring books for Early Childhood and Kindergarten. ***