In addition to shrimp, various fisheries commodities from Benuanta are attracting interest from major countries. These include milkfish, crab, snapper, mackerel, barramundi, pomfret, and seaweed. According to M. Roy Pahlevi, Acting Head of the Fish Quarantine Quality Control and Fisheries Product Security Office (BKIPM) in Tarakan City, seaweed holds significant export potential, particularly to the Philippines and Korea. Although seaweed has substantial potential, its current focus remains on domestic needs and intra-Indonesian exports. In 2023, 39 tons of seaweed were exported through Nunukan Regency to the Philippines. Roy notes increasing demand for seaweed due to its use in various products, including cosmetics, although specific foreign buyer products are yet to be determined. Furthermore, milkfish is sought after by Middle Eastern countries, particularly the United Arab Emirates, for consumption by Hajj pilgrims. Other fishes like barramundi, snapper, and pomfret are exported to China, where demand is also rising, albeit not as robustly as for shrimp.
Despite these diverse demands, Roy emphasizes that North Kalimantan can adequately meet the needs of major importing countries. So far, there haven't been any demands for fisheries commodities that North Kalimantan couldn't fulfill, indicating smooth operations and satisfactory fulfillment of orders. This dynamic showcases North Kalimantan's potential to diversify its exports beyond shrimp, tapping into growing international demand for various fisheries commodities. The region's ability to meet these demands underscores its significance in the global seafood trade and highlights opportunities for further expansion and development in the fisheries sector.
