Dissemination of Fish Catch Data and Strengthening of Fisherfolk Institutions Drive Sustainable Fisheries in the Savu Sea

The dissemination of data analysis from the Crew-Operated Data Recording System (CODRS) marks an initial step toward strengthening community-based sustainable fisheries management in the Savu Sea Marine National Park (TNP Laut Sawu), East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). This activity was followed by the drafting of conservation agreements in several areas on Sumba Island from 5–12 May 2026.

The dissemination aimed to present the results of one year of fisher catch data collection while fostering a shared understanding of Community-Based Fisheries Management (CBFM) through the Territorial Use Rights for Fisheries (TURF-Reserve) approach. The data collected since May 2025 is expected to serve as the foundation for formulating adaptive, evidence-based fisheries management policies in the Savu Sea Marine National Park.

Imam Fauzi, Head of the Kupang Marine Management Office (BPK), highlighted the importance of data as the foundation for sustainable marine resource management. According to him, this aligns with efforts to strengthen evidence-based policies and enhance active fisher participation in fisheries management.

“CODRS data dissemination is a crucial moment to ensure that fisheries management policies are formulated based on real conditions in the field. Fisher involvement in this process also strengthens their sense of ownership over the marine resources they manage,” Imam said.

Imam further added that through joint agreements, the Kupang Marine Management Office engages fishers to co-manage conservation areas. “We respect local wisdom and traditional practices that help preserve the sea. The objective is clear: protect marine ecosystems while improving the fishers’ economy,” he continued.

Echoing this sentiment, Muhammad Saleh Goro, Head of Marine Spatial Management and Aquaculture at the NTT Provincial Marine and Fisheries Office, emphasized that the dissemination results will enhance the integration of fisheries management within regional and conservation area policies.

“Data-driven approaches such as CODRS are highly relevant to support marine spatial planning at the provincial level. We see these results as key references in formulating more targeted policies, while also strengthening the integration of fisheries management with conservation areas in the Savu Sea,” he said.

Niffa, a partner fisher from CODRS in Wendew Village, Central Sumba, shared that the dissemination process provided fishers with new insights regarding the state of fishery resources. "Through this process, we now understand the state of our catches. We also agreed to start regulating our fishing practices to ensure that fish remain abundant in the future,” he said.

Strengthening Community-Based Fisheries Management

For over a decade, the Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) has promoted sustainable fisheries practices while supporting the national effort to conserve marine resources. One of the core focuses of YKAN’s sustainable fisheries program is supporting community-based fisheries management in both Marine Protected Areas and Indigenous Community waters, including those around Sumba Island within the Savu Sea Marine National Park.

Glaudy Perdanahardja, the senior manager of sustainable fisheries management at YKAN, explained that, as a government partner, YKAN plays a role throughout the process, from data collection to strengthening community-based governance.

“YKAN facilitates the implementation of CODRS as a fisher-driven data recording system and also supports the analysis and dissemination of the data as the foundation for decision-making,” said Glaudy.

He also elaborated that YKAN promotes the TURF-Reserve approach, which enables fishers to manage their fishing grounds in a structured and responsible manner.    

“Through the TURF-Reserve approach, fishers are not only resource users but also managers with rights and responsibilities. This is reinforced by the development of conservation agreements that are integrated into the Savu Sea Marine National Park management plan by the government,” he added.

These activities are expected to strengthen the synergy between the government, communities, and development partners, ensuring the sustainability of marine resources while improving the welfare of fishers in the Savu Sea Marine National Park, particularly in the waters surrounding Sumba Island.