YKAN Supports Sustainable Fisheries in the Bird's Head Seascape

Since mid-2022, Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) has partnered with coastal fishermen to collect data on small-scale fisheries through the Concerned Fishermen program at three locations in the Bird's Head Seascape area. These three locations are Werur Raya, Tambrauw Regency; Malaumkarta Raya, Sorong Regency; and North Misool, Raja Ampat Regency. This initiative is part of the collaboration between YKAN and the Provincial Government of West Papua to support increasing the effectiveness of management of marine protected areas in these three areas, which are now part of the Province of Southwest Papua.

Fisheries data collection uses the Crew Operated Data Recording System (CODRS) method by involving fishermen directly in collecting data. This method has been developed by YKAN since 2014. "The implementation of the e-log book and CODRS is an attempt to overcome one of the obstacles to fisheries management in Indonesia, namely the lack of fisheries data. The e-log book system and CODRS speak in almost similar principles and frameworks. YKAN'sYKAN's experience for more than seven years in collecting data on snapper, grouper, and tuna fisheries using the CODRS approach is expected to be a reference in developing e-log books in the future," explained YKAN's Senior Manager of Sustainable Fisheries, Glaudy Perdanahardja.

Glaudy added, besides aiming to obtain accurate data, fisher's direct involvement in fisheries management efforts can provide a better understanding of the importance of preserving fishery resources and their habitat.

"With this program, we can discover the types of catches and the average catch we get. In addition, we also received knowledge about the importance of sustainable fisheries management. As fishermen, we realize that our lives depend on preserving the sea," said Yunus, YKAN's fishing partner from Waigama Village, North Misool District, Raja Ampat Regency.

Thorough survey

In addition to collecting fishery data with coastal communities, YKAN conducted a frame or comprehensive survey in 35 villages in the waters of Sausapor and Bikar Districts in Tambrauw Regency, Makbon District waters in Sorong Regency, and Misool waters as a whole. This survey was conducted for an entire month in February 2023 to provide complete and detailed Information on fishing aspects. The survey collected Information on fishing boats, fishing activities, fishing gear, and catches. Data was collected by visiting fish landing sites, especially those with capture fisheries potential.

From the data collection activities, was found three types of fisheries, namely deep sea snapper-grouper, tuna, and shallow or coastal water multispecies fisheries. In addition, 189 fish species are dominant in these locations. The Information collected from the overall survey and the CODRS data collection will be used to see the status and condition of the fishery then fisheries management decisions can be made accurately.

"We thank YKAN for supporting sustainable fishing activities in Southwest Papua Province. One of the main keys to the success of fisheries management depends on the management of adequate and quality data and Information. This data will play an important role in supporting the implementation of a measured fishing policy, which is one of the priority programs of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries," said Plt. Head of the Office of Food, Agriculture, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of Southwest Papua Province Absalom Solossa.

"The waters in the Bird's Head Seascape, Southwest Papua Province, are one of the waters with the highest biodiversity in the world. For this reason, integrated coastal resource management must prioritize preserving marine resources and fisheries to provide long-term benefits for the community and local stakeholders," concluded YKAN's Bird's Head Seascape Senior Manager Lukas Rumetna.