Exposure Muncar:

Economic Potency and Its Challenge

The exposure to Muncar is one of a series of ocean economy training in 2015. Formerly, Muncar was well known as a fishery industrial centre and the largest fish production in Java. One of many impacts which consequently gets is a threat of waste accumulation, year by year. It is one reason to take a look closer to the condition at Muncar and to observe marine potency and learn its management.

Four participants joining this exposure are Nova Yulanda P. Sipahutar (a post-graduated student of communication UGM), Nikson Retang (a student at Livestock Academy of Waingapu, Sumba), Ana Ndawi Ngana (an English Education student of University of Sarjanawiyasta Tamansiswa, Yogyakarta), and Christian Apri Wijaya (Communication student of UGM).

On Thursday, August 27, 2015, we departed from Lempuyangan railways station. The curiosity about Banyuwangi and Muncar makes many questions in our mind along the trip. Fourteen hours journey does not make us bored because many exotic views of East Java land and the comfortable trains were able to treat us well and to keep us happy.

The first activity was having discussion with Mr. Yulis, the chairman of Javanese Christian Church in East Part (GKJW) Muncar, a branch of GKJW Banyuwangi. He shared about the condition and dynamics of life at Muncar. When the fish is abundantly caught, life will be improved, consumption is increasing and many luxury goods are purchased. However it is so common when the fish is rarely caught even drop, people at Muncar sell their furniture to afford their daily needs.

After having discussion with Mr. Yulis, the group visited fish processing factory. There was no photo inside the factory because it is prohibited to take pictures there. In the factory we learned the complexity of fish processing. There were some cleaning equipments, packing machine and the packaging which is designed modern and hygienic. Most fish processing was done by women, while the seasoning process and canning fish were done by machines. It took less one day from fish process until canning process. The factory produces 5.000 cans a day. The products were exported to Africa. When the fish caught is decreasing, the fish should be imported from Thailand and Philippines.

On Friday afternoon, we visited NGO ‘Satu Hati’ accompanied by Satu Hati activists, Mas Kiki and Mas Jalil. Actually ‘Satu Hati’ focuses its work not on marine studies but on education and environment. The education division organizes learning course and library. While environmental division works on people lifestyle and resources conservation in Muncar. It is commonly related to waste. Waste produced by coastal factories poluted waters and sea, so, ‘Satu Hati’ working is indirectly related to ocean. In many cases potency is not always profitable, even its impact is often not beneficial for the environment. ‘Satu Hati’ empowers community to see that changes have been occured in rivers, soil and air.

On Saturday morning, we visited a welding shop in Muncar port. Pak Jimat is one of two owners of workshop having a lathe machine in Muncar. The condition of the workshop is absolutely old with oil-coated everywhere. We hoped that the government will have a program to renew it somedays.

Sharing session with Rev. Soni Saksono Putro gave an idea to arrange a such training for church youth related to Muncar port. One of congregation members working in AIDS Commission told us the practice of commercial sex workers from ship to ship. They actually need assistance and guidance. It is a fact to be learnt and a valuable input when we saw the potency and problem of ocean.

Some other works of the marine potency done by members of GKJW Banyuwangi are cooking black squid fried-rice, having palm sugar home industry, planting coconut in the sea shore, running boat leasing for tours, celebration on maritime tradition, and floating karamba. Welcome the upcoming opportunities from marine potency. (YDA).