FROM VOLUME TO VALUE: ASSESSING STRUCTURAL SHIFTS AND COMMODITY COMPETITIVENESS IN TEGAL’S URBAN FISHERIES SECTOR

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the divergence between production volume and the economic value of capture fisheries commodities in Tegal City from 2019 to 2024. While national fisheries production continues to rise, the sector's contribution to GDP often remains stagnant. To date, most literature has focused on fisheries biology (MSY) and gear efficiency at the macro level, leaving a significant research gap regarding longitudinal analyses that dissect economic value anomalies at the urban-local level during periods of crisis and recovery. Utilizing a descriptive quantitative approach, this research leverages secondary time-series data obtained from the official publications of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. The analytical techniques employed include descriptive statistics, trend analysis, and commodity contribution analysis to map the relationship between physical output and nominal monetary achievements. The findings reveal significant fluctuations over the six-year observation period. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 3,777.54 tons, whereas the peak economic value was achieved in 2023, totaling IDR 76,724 million, confirming a misalignment in trends between quantity and market value. Cumulatively, the Anchovy group (Teri) dominated the sector with a total volume of 6,822.18 tons and a value of IDR 108,185 million. However, a critical finding indicates that by 2024, Blue Swimming Crab (Rajungan biasa) began to shift the dominance of Anchovies in both volume (551.22 tons) and economic value (IDR 33,087 million). This identifies the Blue Swimming Crab as a strategic commodity with a higher value-to-volume ratio. This study recommends a policy reorientation from merely chasing production targets toward value-based management to enhance the economic welfare of fishers in Tegal City.