Special Coverage on World Food Day (Part 1) From Sea to Table, Diving into the Potential of the Sea for Food Security The sea holds great potential that sustains many families. Rep: Muhammad Nursyamsi/ Red: Gita Amanda

REPUBLICA.CO.ID, TARAKAN -- The night in the waters of Tarakan Island, North Kalimantan (Kaltara), witnessed Rustan's loyalty to the sea. The 53-year-old man has spent four decades braving the waves, searching for fish to provide for his wife and children whom he raised from his catches. "We usually go to sea at night, two days away, two days at home. Yes, that's just our ancestral skill. If we don't go to sea, what will our family eat at home," Rustan said when speaking with Republika last Tuesday (10/7/2025). Since graduating from high school, Rustan has chosen the sea as his path in life. His income is highly uncertain. On average, he brings home between Rp100 thousand to Rp200 thousand from his two-day fishing trips, though he often returns empty-handed. Being a fisherman and living on an outlying island presents challenges for Rustan and other small-scale fishermen. The limitations in infrastructure and lack of support are hardships that accompany his daily life. Rustan ...