Jakarta, Sept. 14 -- Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries aims to develop areas under the Red and White Fishing Villages (KNMP) program into key nodes in interregional fish distribution networks, helping fishers expand their markets.

Deputy Minister Didit Herdiawan Ashad said the ministry plans to upgrade 1,269 villages through the national priority program this year to increase the productivity and welfare of coastal communities, particularly those in relatively hard-to-reach areas.

Speaking at a forum on slum settlement management in Jakarta on Monday, he said KNMPs are being developed based on the potential of each area and the number of fishermen.

Villages with large numbers of fishermen will serve as hubs, while th...