ASIATODAY.ID, BATAM — Indonesia has strengthened its position in Asia’s premium seafood market after exporting another shipment of live reef fish from the Natuna Islands to Hong Kong, with authorities confirming the consignment met stringent quarantine and biosecurity requirements.
The shipment comprised 10,362 live fish valued at approximately IDR1.1 billion (around US$67,000). Before departure, the cargo underwent document verification, physical inspection and laboratory testing conducted by the Indonesian Quarantine Authority to ensure compliance with both national regulations and Hong Kong’s import requirements.
Laboratory tests confirmed the fish were free from Red Seabream Iridovirus Disease (RSIVD), enabling officials to issue the mandatory Health Certificate for Fish and Fish Products (KI-1) required for international trade.
“The certification process ensures every export shipment complies with health and biosecurity standards before entering overseas markets,” Head of the Riau Islands Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine Office Hasim said in a statement on Friday.
The shipment consisted mainly of premium live grouper species—including coral trout, tiger grouper, hybrid grouper, mangrove grouper and several other high-value reef fish—that are widely supplied to seafood distributors and upscale restaurants across Hong Kong and other Asian markets.
Official data show Natuna exported 28,818 live fish to Hong Kong during the first half of 2026 through three shipments worth a combined IDR2.9 billion. The island regency also exported 2.3 tonnes of fish to Malaysia, reflecting continued demand for Indonesian seafood across Southeast Asia.
Quarantine officials said no seafood shipments from Natuna have been rejected by importing countries or received a Notification of Non-Compliance (NNC), indicating Indonesia’s quarantine system continues to meet international sanitary and biosecurity standards.
The latest export underscores the growing role of Indonesia’s fisheries sector in regional seafood supply chains.
For Natuna, whose coastal economy depends heavily on marine resources, sustained access to premium markets such as Hong Kong not only supports fishermen’s livelihoods but also strengthens Indonesia’s position as a dependable supplier of high-quality seafood in Asia. (AT Network)
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