Jakarta, May 17 -- The Red and White Fishing Villages (KNMP) program could help restore Papua as eastern Indonesia's tuna hub, a lawmaker said.

Robert J. Kardinal, a member of Commission IV of the House of Representatives (DPR), said Papua has vast fisheries potential, particularly in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua; Teluk Wondama, West Papua; and Biak Numfor and Supiori in Papua.

"The three regions hold strategic value both as production centers and as outer defense areas supported by fishing communities," he said in a statement cited in Jakarta on Sunday.

Kardinal stressed that the government should prioritize the three areas under the KNMP program because of their abundant fisheries resources, especially yellowfin tuna.

According to hi...