On Tuesday in Jakarta, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) launched the new national “Harvest Strategy” for blue swimming crabs, snappers and groupers to improve fisheries management. Minister Edhy Prabowo and the Director General of Capture Fisheries, M. Zulficar Mochtar also inaugurated the operation of Fisheries Management Units of Fisheries Management Areas (WPPNRI).

“The Harvest Strategy is important, and this is the first time that such a measure has been adopted in Indonesia. This is a new beginning and the key aspect is to manage fisheries sustainably,”Edhy said at the meeting on the Harvest Strategy, attended by more than 500 stakeholders from all across the country.

Fisheries resources have been exploited by coastal communities in Indonesia for many generations, and the economic potential supports the local level employment of approximately 275,000 workers. Unfortunately, the volume and value of catches has been declining because of the high demand.

“The size of catches is getting smaller and viable fishing areas are getting farther from the shoreline. In addition, buyers now want to know the traceability of the fish,” said Director General of Capture Fisheries, M. Zulficar Mochtar to the meeting participants.

Zulficar added that in Indonesia production of blue swimming crabs is ranked third after tuna and shrimp. The export value achieved amounted to Rp 4,6 trillion per annum, with the three principal markets being the USA (71%), Japan (9%), and Malaysia (7%).

“Let us work together to support all the Fisheries Management Areas. Fisheries data collection should be also effective in order to ensure a proper capture allocation in each Area. Our fishing harvest is high but still a only limited portion goes for export of approximately 20-30%. For that reason let us work together to guide it better,” Zulficar said.

The Directorate General of Capture Fisheries of MMAF with assistance from FAO is implementing a project on transboundary cooperation for sustainable management of the Indonesian seas, implemented within the Indonesian Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (ISLME).  Large Marine Ecosystems (LME) are the coastal and marine areas with high productivity, as compared to open or high seas.

The ISLME area contributes more than1% of fisheries global production, and is important part of world’s coral resources (500 species of coral, 2.500 marine fish species, 47 species of mangroves and 13 species of sea-grass).  Around 185 million people live in the ISLME area and depend on the coastal and marine fishery industries including aquaculture, amongst other sectors.

The five priority sites of the ISLME are North Jawa, East Kalimantan, East Flores, Lombok and the border of Batugede-Atapupu. This program implemented by both Indonesia and Timor-Leste covers 213 million hectare of territorial waters,

Activity in the five priority sites are covering ecosystem-based approaches for capture fisheries, aquaculture, marine spatial planning, and management of marine protected areas. Fisheries of blue swimming crabs, lobsters, mud crabs and snappers-groupers have special focus. Support also will be provided to strengthen responsible institution building towards fisheries management as well as for fishing port and marine debris management.

Mr. Stephen Rudgard,  FAO Representative for Indonesia commented, “I am glad to see that FAO is able to support the Ministry in adopting an ecosystem approach to fisheries management reflected in this national Fisheries Improvement Programme and Harvest Strategy. Together we hope to ensure sustainable fisheries management in the Indonesian seas".

Furthermore, the stakeholders also signed Annual Work Plan (RKT) for Blue Swimming Crabs between Government of South-east Sulawesi, South Sulawesi and Central Java along with supporting partners, the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) and Director General of Capture Fisheries of MMAF.

The participants from across the country were also to visit exhibition booths during the event, and examine products from blue swimming crabs, snappers and groupers.