Indonesia Leads Asia’s Digital Fisheries Transformation

Indonesia’s digital transformation initiative in the fisheries sector took the spotlight at the 2025 Sustainable Seafood Summit held in Osaka on 1–2 October 2025. At the event, Glaudy Perdanahardja, Senior Manager for Sustainable Fisheries at the Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN), presented a concept titled “Achieving Our 2030 Goal in Asia: A New Meta-Coalition Initiative,” highlighting the importance of data- and science-based collaboration to build transparent, accountable, and equitable fisheries systems across Asia.

Glaudy highlighted Asia’s pivotal role in shaping the future of global fisheries, while simultaneously acknowledging the region’s substantial challenges. These challenges include limited transparency and data gaps, as well as unsustainable fishing practices. Despite these challenges, he underscored the region's significant potential in innovation and cross-sector collaboration.

The presentation highlighted YKAN’s work in supporting the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) through digital systems such as E-Logbook Version 3 and the AI-powered FishFace technology, which have become models for applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) in fisheries management in Asia.

For over a decade, YKAN has developed the Crew Operated Data Recording System (CODRS) in collaboration with fishers across Indonesia. This system empowers more than a thousand fishers to digitally document their catches, generating over seven million data entries now used by the government for national stock assessments.

While CODRS represents a major step in community-based scientific approaches, YKAN recognizes that improving data accuracy is essential. Species identification in Indonesia remains complex, and mislabeling or misidentification can affect data reliability and quota policies.

To address this issue, YKAN developed Fish Facial Identification Technology (FishFace), an AI-based innovation for recognizing fish. Since its inception in 2017, FishFace has undergone four generations of development. It can identify over 10 economically significant species, such as tuna and snapper, provide real-time stock and catch location data, and reduce human errors in manual recording. The technology is designed to help both the government and fishers understand fish stock availability and devise more accurate, sustainable management strategies.

FishFace is now integrated with E-Logbook V3, KKP’s official digital reporting system, which was launched on October 6, 2025. E-Logbook V3 facilitates digital recording of fishing activities by automatically tracking vessel positions, identifying species through photos, and accurately logging the location of fish aggregating devices (FADs).

From Indonesia to the World

The integration of FishFace and E-Logbook establishes a national data system that is adaptive, efficient, and transparent. This integration enhances the implementation of the Quota-Based Fisheries Management Program, a key pillar of Indonesia’s transformation of its blue economy.

Syahril Abd Raup, Director of Fish Resources Management at KKP, noted that digital systems such as the E-Logbook and FishFace are not just technological innovations but strategic steps toward efficient and responsible fisheries governance.

“Digitalization of the fisheries sector forms a crucial foundation to maintain the balance between economic productivity and marine resource sustainability. The KKP–YKAN collaboration on these digital systems is a prime example of how technology can reinforce governance and ensure the long-term sustainability of our fisheries,” he said.

Fishers find this technology convenient and reliable for reporting their catches. The government provides a science-based, evidence-driven foundation for policy, but the digital transformation extends beyond software innovation, as many small-scale vessels remain beyond monitoring reach.

To address this challenge, KKP and YKAN are investigating Electronic Monitoring (EM), a system that includes an onboard camera and sensors to automatically record fishing activities. This technology is anticipated to improve transparency at the operational level, enable tracking of bycatch such as sharks, turtles, and marine mammals, and strengthen Indonesia’s standing in global initiatives such as the Tuna Transparency Pledge.

YKAN and KKP are clear: effective use of digital technology must be paired with fisher and e-numerator capacity building, data infrastructure in ports and coastal villages, regulatory harmonization across regions, and incentives for verified, traceable seafood products. These steps will ensure that technological advancements bring real benefits to marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

Indonesia, with the backing of science, collaboration, and inclusive innovation, is proving that the future of fisheries extends beyond artificial intelligence. It emphasizes the importance of collective intelligence in protecting the oceans. These initiatives are solidifying Indonesia’s position as a leader in the blue economy in Asia and a crucial contributor to sustainable ocean governance globally.