The Indonesian ornamental fish industry possesses immense strategic potential to generate employment, alleviate poverty, reduce regional disparities, and drive sustainable national economic growth. Professor Rokhmin Dahuri from IPB University highlighted that Indonesia holds the largest ornamental fish biodiversity globally, with utilization rates still below 25% of the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), indicating vast room for sustainable growth. The country boasts approximately 650 marine ornamental fish species (200 traded) and around 400 freshwater species, complemented by successful domestication of popular imported varieties, showcasing the maturity of national aquaculture technology.
Professor Rokhmin, a former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, emphasized that this is a labor-intensive and inclusive industry that is easily adopted by communities, especially in rural areas, making it effective for reducing economic disparities. Globally, the ornamental fish market is valued between US$15–30 billion annually, with world imports reaching US$335.1 million in 2024. Indonesia currently ranks as the world's second-largest ornamental fish exporter, commanding a 12–13% market share. However, to transform this comparative advantage into a competitive edge, the government must implement an integrated policy focusing on research, human resource quality improvement, standardization, downstream activities, and global promotion to secure Indonesia's position as a market leader, not just a supplier.
