National Fish Day in Indonesia Date in the current year: November 21, 2024

Since Indonesia is an archipelago country with an extensive coastline, fish production plays a vital role in its economy and food security; it includes both the capture of wild fish and fish farming. The country’s fisheries sector is composed of inland and marine capture fisheries and fish farms (aquaculture).

As of 2020, Indonesia was the third biggest fisheries and aquaculture producer in the world with a share of 7% of the total, behind only China (35%) and India (8%). The country’s leading fishing commodities that are exported to other countries are catfish, shrimp, and tuna. In addition, Indonesia is one of the world’s leading algae producers.

Aquaculture has been playing an increasingly important role in Indonesia’s fish production; it increased from 10.6% of the total fish production in 1960 to 40.2% in 2014. The main species/groups of species accounting for most of the country’s aquaculture production are seaweeds (algae), tilapias, catfishes, shrimps/prawns, milkfishes, common carp, gourami, bivalve mollusks, and snakeheads.

In 1999, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries was created within the Indonesian government. The ministry is responsible for the development of marine exploration, protection, and conservation; one of its main tasks is to develop, establish, and execute policies regarding fisheries and fish production. Since its establishment, the ministry has been working on improving Indonesian aquaculture.

Some of the improvements include the creation of development zones, increased support of local farmers (investments, information support, better access to product certification, distribution and marketing channels, etc.), and tackling related environmental challenges (waterway pollution, loss of wetland and mangrove ecosystems, fish disease outbreaks, etc.).

National Fish Day is celebrated in Indonesia on November 21, coinciding with World Fisheries Day. It was established by a presidential decree in 2014 to emphasize the importance of fish as a high-protein and healthy food rich in essential fatty acids, recognize the role of fisheries in strengthening food security, and promote sustainable fishing and aquaculture.

National Fish Day events and activities are coordinated by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. They include exhibitions, workshops and seminars, various contests, fish cooking demonstrations, fish and seafood tastings, fishing boat competitions, environmental activities (coastal cleanups, mangrove planting, etc.), and more.

National Fish Day should not be confused with National Fisherman Day. The latter is another Indonesian observance celebrated on April 6 to emphasize the contribution of Indonesian fishermen to the economy, whereas National Fish Day recognizes the importance of both capture fisheries and fish farms.