Ida Padwa Deriving Value from Bintuni Bay Shrimp and Crab

Ida and her family live in Argosigemerai village, East Bintuni district, West Papua. Ida’s shrimp and crab snacks are produced in a building painted yellow with a pyramidal roof, measuring some 3 by 5 meters.

Kompas/Harry Susilo

Ida Padwa, shows processed shrimp and crab products from Bintuni Bay at her home in East Bintuni District, Bintuni Bay, West Papua.

Thanks to the expanse of mangroves with a total area of 257,468 hectares, the waters of Bintuni Bay are home to shrimp and crabs. However, do not expect to easily find seafood restaurants or cafés there. There are no shops selling gifts typical of this “Green Pearl” regency on roadsides either, especially those offering snacks made of shrimp and crab.

Ida Padwa, 41, makes snacks using seafood from Bintuni Bay. But it is not easy to find Ida because she has no shop, nor social media account with which to offer her products.