INDONESIA FISHERY SECTOR : TUNA FACTS AND HEALTH BENEFITS

Fisheries and aquaculture are present opportunity with total area potential for fisheries to reach to 5.8 million kilometre2 comprising three-quarters of the entire national territory (source: Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, 2015). Indonesia is the largest producer of fishery products in South East Asia and the world’s third largest after China and India. The relatively stable tropical water temperature enables aquaculture to be carried out throughout the year.

Fisheries and aquaculture are amongst the primary economic activities by the Indonesian Government to provide a national source of protein. The value of aquaculture in Indonesian production rose from IDR 57.63 trillion in the year 2010 to IDR 75.88 trillion in 2013 with a yearly increase of 18.35 per cent (source: Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, 2013).

Aquaculture in Indonesia is practiced in fresh, brackish and marine water using a variety of species, production facilities and methods.  Indonesia’s extensive coastline territory provides ideal conditions for farming in brackish waters, while lakes and ponds provide an abundant platform for freshwater cultivation.

Around 95 per cent of seafood producers in Indonesia are artisanal fishermen using traditional capture methods. However, only a few large state and privately owned companies have the capability to adopt commercially new technologies.

In mid-January 2016, Indonesia’s investment coordinating board (BKPM) opened downstream processing in the seafood industry to 100 per cent foreign equity. Indonesia is one of the exporting countries of tuna in canned products.

There are various types of tuna in Indonesian waters that can be used as raw materials for processing canned tuna products. The health benefits of tuna fish include its ability to reduce cardiovascular conditions, stimulate growth and development, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and help in weight loss. Tuna also has the ability to boost the immune system, increase energy, maintain the health of the skin, increase red blood cell count, prevent cancer, protect against various kidney diseases, reduce general inflammation, and inhibit cell membrane damage.

About Tuna Fish

Tuna fish is a very diverse family of fish that has become one of the most valued and desirable fish on the market. Their delicious taste, global availability, and healthy components make it an ideal replacement for red meat or for those who like to add some healthy variety to their diets. It belongs to the same family of fish as Bonito and Albacore, which is the Scombridae family, which is commonly called the Mackerel group. However, tuna belongs to a tribe, called Thunnini. This “tribe” contains 15 species of tuna, most of which are enjoyed around the world in some sort of culinary tradition.

Tuna fish of varying species are found in all of the world oceans, and while different cultures enjoy different varieties, the health benefits are largely the same. Tuna fish are typically anywhere from 1 foot in length to 15 feet for a fully grown, long-lived example. While most tuna fish live for 3-5 years, some have been known to live for more than two decades. They regularly make long migration across the oceans, sometimes thousands of miles in length, due to mating and changing seasons. They are relatively easy to fish since a number of species organize themselves in large vertical columns near the surface of the water.

About Health Benefits of Tuna Fish

Now, let’s explore more of the health benefits of tuna fish that these components confer. among others are :

Heart Health

The high percentage of omega-3 fatty acids in tuna meat brings the balance into the blood vessels, reducing the cholesterol in the arteries. Lower cholesterol in arteries equals fewer problems in blood flow and heart pump, which brings you the improvement of the heart health.

Blood Pressure

Tuna is rich in potassium – a mineral that lowers the blood pressure significantly. The combination of this element with omega-3 fats brings anti-inflammatory effect to the cardiovascular system. That means lower pressure, and lower risk of stroke, heart attacks, and complicated problems, like clogged arteries.

Weight Loss

Obesity and overweight are the biggest health problems worldwide. Tuna is a low-calorie, high-quality protein food full of healthy nutrients that boost health, metabolism and reduce fat. Increased intake of the omega three fatty acids from tuna meat stimulate a hormone for hunger, called leptin. With this hormone at bay, you won’t crave for food.

Boosted Immune System

The meat of this fish is rich in manganese, zinc, vitamin C, and selenium – the antioxidants that are known as major boosters of the immune system. The antioxidants fight the free radicals, the by-products of metabolism on the cellular level, which can cause multiple serious diseases, like cancer.

Energy Levels

The components of the tuna fish improve the metabolism and increase energy. The vitamin B complex stands behind this, next to high protein values and omega-3 acids. Healthy Tip: Tuna meat shortens the recovery time in athletes training, and provides energy for demanding exercises. Increase the daily intake to boost the overall state of well being.

Blood Circulation

Iron and Vitamin B are the reasons of this benefit. Your cardiovascular system gets jammed and slowed down with fat, caused by unhealthy eating habits, and your cells start to degenerate. The high intake of iron and vitamin B strengthen the blood cells. Iron boosts the blood circulation, improving the oxidation of the body organs, ensuring the optimal functioning.

Cancer Prevention

Antioxidants from the tuna meat fight cancer cells. Many types of cancer withdraw from the elements found in tuna fish, such as breast cancer.

Kidney Disease

The mentioned potassium mineral helps with the fluid balance and regular functioning of the kidneys. Kidney cancer is one of the most frequent cancer types in the world, and it develops from the inadequate functioning of organs.

Reduced Inflammation

Both illness inflammation and muscle inflammation are suppressed by tuna meat. The anti-inflammatory minerals and healthy cholesterol in this meat help with allocation of resources in the organism. That leads to proper function of the whole body, and prevention of inflammatory diseases like arthritis and gout.

 

Depression

Having tuna three to four times a week is more effective than Prozac. This bold statement is a result of a scientific research on the groups of depressed people where groups were divided into three: the Placebo group (consuming placebo pills), the Prozac group, and tuna group (eating tuna several times a week). Surprisingly, the tuna group had the biggest reducing the stress levels. Healthy Tip: Natural treatment of the conditions and diseases removes the side effects of drugs. Tuna is the perfect antioxidant to replace industrialized medicines in some cases.