SEAToday.com, Jakarta - The tsunami disaster that struck Tanjung Lesung, Banten, in 2018 had a significant impact on the local economy. One of the affected communities was the Permanent Settlement Village in Sumber Jaya, Ujung Kulon, Banten.

The disaster caused the community to lose their primary sources of livelihood.

The majority of residents in the Permanent Settlement Village rely on fishing for their livelihood. However, their income is unpredictable as their daily catch depends on sea conditions. During high tides, fishermen are unable to go out to sea, leaving them without earnings and struggling to meet their families needs.

The fishing community in Permanent Settlement Village faces challenges due to its reliance on fresh fish sales and the limited diversification of fishery products. To ensure a more stable income, there is aneed for innovative solutions to supplement the earnings of fishermen’s families.

To address this challenge, a strategic initiative was launched to promote the sustainable utilization of fishery products through training in fish processing, preservation techniques, and innovative packaging methods. The training took place in Permanent Settlement Village on February 25-26 2025, attracting over 20 participants, including fishermen, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners, and housewives.

The training aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge of the fishermen’s wives in producing fish products that are not only marketable but also competitive. The processed products included fish floss, mackerel dendeng, spicy fried anchovies, and squid sambal. These innovations  are expected to serve as potential local  souvenirs from Ujung Kulon, Banten.

Mrs. Siti Sadiah, one of the training participants, share her experience “This two-day training was incredibly enjoyable. Alhamdulillah, we learned valuable skills in packaging, preservation, cooking, and marketing. I hope this knowledge helps  increase our daily income, and I look forward to more training sessions that can benefit even more people” she said.

PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Telkom) organized the training initiative as part of its commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Indonesia. The program aligns with the ninth of Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs), which focuses on promoting inclusive and sustainable industry while fostering skill development. Telkom hopes that the training will empower the community to become more self-sufficient and confident in accessing the global markets.