Jakarta - Pertamina Hulu Energi Offshore North West Java (PHE ONWJ) supports the economic independence of coastal communities, especially empowerment for women and fishermen's wives through the Greenthink Women's MSME Group (KUW) initiative.
Head of Communication, Relations and CID PHE ONWJ R. Ery Ridwan said that PHE ONWJ is fostering KUW Greenthink as part of its social and environmental responsibility (TJSL) program.
"All members of KUW Greenthink are the wives of fishermen in Cilamaya Girang District, Blanakan, Subang, West Java," said Ery in a statement in Jakarta, Tuesday.
He said that KUW Greenthink took innovative steps by processing tengkek fish into various processed products.
"We are very proud to see how their innovation and hard work have successfully turned challenges into opportunities. Hopefully this success can inspire other communities to do the same," said Ery.
It is known that mackerel fish is less popular with consumers. Tengkek are avoided because their body anatomy is full of spines.
Market demand for tengkek fish is not as big as other types of fish such as mackerel, tuna, snapper and milkfish, which makes the selling price of tengkek low.
"In the past, tengkek fish had no value. In fact, it was considered waste by fishermen. If they found tengkek in the sea, they sold it cheaply," said Eka Mustika, owner of the Mustika Food UMKM who is also one of 22 members of KUW Greenthink.
Eka and the members of KUW Greenthink also transform tengkek fish into various processed products such as shredded fish, beef jerky, and crackers.
Before Mustika Food and its processed tengkek fish products were known to many people, tengkek fish was only sold for under Rp5,000 per kilogram, even reaching Rp2,000-Rp3,000 per kilogram. Meanwhile, each kilogram contains 4-5 fish.
The price of mackerel fish rises in line with Eka's need for raw materials for its products. In one month, Eka requires an average of 1.5-2 quintals of raw material for mackerel fish.
The amount is to meet consumer demand across cities to countries, starting from Subang, Bandung, Jabodetabek, Bali, Jambi, to Singapore. As a result, the price of tengkek fish has soared to Rp17,000-Rp25,000 per kilogram.