Sikka tuna and skipjack fishery returns to export channels after Flores quake

Maumere — Tuna and skipjack catches in Sikka Regency have returned to export channels after the disruption caused by the 15 August Flores earthquake, according to local reporting and quake aftermath updates from disaster authorities.

The earthquake struck eastern Flores on 15 August and caused casualties, damage and temporary disruption across parts of Sikka, including the port area in Maumere, according to disaster updates and contemporaneous reporting. Officials said the event affected coastal infrastructure and daily activity in the regency.

By 20 September, local reporting said the capture fisheries sector in Sikka had begun to recover, with tuna and skipjack landings again reaching export markets. The report said improved port operations and cold-chain logistics were helping restore normal trading conditions.

Fishers and local officials said the recovery was welcome but incomplete, as crews and processors were still working through losses from the quake period. The rebound matters for Sikka because capture fisheries are a key source of income for coastal communities and for the supply chain around Maumere.

Why it matters

The recovery suggests that one of Flores’ important seafood hubs is moving back toward normal operations after a major natural disaster. For exporters and buyers, the return of tuna and skipjack supply is a sign that port logistics and handling capacity are stabilising.

Sources

• Associated Press
• The Daily Star
• Ekorantt.com