West Sumatra Province (Sumbar) through PT. Dempo Andalas Samudera successfully carried out the first export of frozen yellowfin tuna weighing 19.9 tons to the United States (US). This export was carried out through Teluk Bayur Port, and is expected to be a positive initial step for the export of tuna and other marine products from West Sumatra.The Head of the Fish Working Team of the Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine Center of West Sumatra Province, Salfira, said, "We hope that this first export can pave the way for the export of tuna and fishery products from West Sumatra to the international market." Salfira added that previously, shipments of frozen tuna abroad via land were carried out through Tanjung Priok Port, so that data on tuna exports from West Sumatra were only recorded in Jakarta. With exports through Teluk Bayur Port, West Sumatra can now be more directly connected to the international market.
Before being exported, tuna fish undergo strict inspection by the Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine Center to ensure that they are free from disease and meet international health and food safety standards. Salfira emphasized the importance of this inspection process so that fishery products can be well received in the destination country. Head of the Animal Fish and Plant Quarantine Center of West Sumatra, Ibrahim, explained, "We ensure that the exported fish are disease-free and meet all the requirements set by the destination country. After that, we issue a quarantine certificate as proof that the product is suitable for export." The quarantine certificate issued is an important document to guarantee the quality and safety of Indonesian fishery products in the international market, ensuring that the products sent can compete and be well received in the United States.
