The potential of capture fisheries in Bontang City has caught the attention of the East Kalimantan Investment and Integrated One-Stop Service Agency (DPMPTSP Kaltim). The significant and consistent production value is seen as a potential area for further development towards a larger industry. According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of East Kalimantan, the production of capture fisheries in Bontang City has shown an increase from 2018 to 2021. Despite experiencing a decrease of 801.47 tons in 2020 compared to 2019, it still ranks second in terms of marine capture fisheries after Kutai Kartanegara Regency.
Among the potential of capture fisheries, the canned fish industry is considered an area that can be further developed and become an alternative for long-term economic growth. Puguh Harjanto, the head of DPMPTSP Kaltim, stated that fish from capture fisheries, such as bullet tuna, cornet fish, and mackerel, have the potential to become raw materials for the canned fish industry, given their abundance in Bontang City. Currently, there are ten companies listed in the Industry Company Directory of the Ministry of Industry that produce canned fish commodities, with six located in North Sulawesi, two in East Java, one in DKI Jakarta, and one in West Papua. However, considering the potential of fisheries in Bontang City, Puguh believes that establishing a canned fish industry is a viable possibility.
