Delegasi ASEAN-ID Blue Belajar Ekonomi Biru di Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih Banyuwangi

Thecuy.com, Banyuwangi – ASEAN-ID Blue delegation selected the Merah Putih Nelayan Village (KNMP) Lateng in Banyuwangi as a field study site to explore best practices in the blue economy. They witnessed firsthand how a fisher cooperative model can boost the local economy by integrating downstream fishing activities with tourism.

The Director of Business Development at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Ali Rahmat Iman Santoso, explained that KNMP Lateng was developed as a modern fishing village with a thematic approach to downstream tourism, focusing on culinary experiences. “Fish catches are not only sold as fresh produce but are also transformed into value-added culinary products,” he said during the visit on Saturday, July 18, 2026.

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Culinary Tourism and Local Architecture Concept

KNMP Lateng showcases a tourism concept reflected in its iconic architecture. The traditional house design of the Osing tribe, the indigenous people of Banyuwangi, serves as the primary inspiration. This fusion of modern touches and local wisdom creates a strong identity and emphasizes Banyuwangi’s cultural character in the coastal area.

The Economic Diplomacy Expert at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Zelda Wulan Kartika, expressed her admiration for KNMP Banyuwangi. “We were surprised by how impressive and advanced KNMP Banyuwangi is. Despite being new, its future potential is enormous,” she said. She believes the implemented blue economy initiatives bring tangible benefits to the coastal fishing community.

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Comprehensive Facilities and Community Impact

During the visit, the delegates observed various facilities in KNMP Banyuwangi, including culinary stalls, boat docks, fish landing sites, an ice factory, a fisher workshop, and a seafood processing unit. They also had the opportunity to taste local fisher UMKM products and explore the export potential of Banyuwangi’s fisheries.

Leone Bainivanua, a political-economic delegate from the Fiji Embassy, expressed her admiration. “This place is fantastic; there’s nothing like it in Fiji. We are inspired to develop something similar in our country because we are also surrounded by ocean,” she said. Meanwhile, Faezatun Azirah Binti Yahaya, Counsellor at the Malaysia Mission to ASEAN, was impressed by the fisher community empowerment in KNMP Banyuwangi. “What is done here will serve as a reference for development in our country,” she noted.

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The Head of the Banyuwangi Fisheries Department, Suryono Bintang Samudra, added that KNMP Lateng was built with a tourism-based downstream concept, leveraging local potential and the desires of stakeholders. Previously, the area consisted of unregulated citizen tents. “The establishment of KNMP brings blessings, especially for fisher wives and local residents. This place is becoming an increasingly attractive culinary tourism destination. We continue to provide guidance and education to improve services to visitors,” he explained.

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