Synergy Supports Sustainable Fisheries Management in the Arafura Sea

The Arafura Sea is one of the water areas in Indonesia that has abundant fish resources potential, especially for deep sea fisheries, such as snapper. To support its sustainability, it is necessary to implement sustainable fisheries management activities. Efforts have been made, among others, through the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) and the Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP). This was the topic of discussion at "Socialization of the Study Achievements and Implementation of Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) and Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) Red Snapper Fisheries in the Arafura Sea" event on Thursday, April 14, 2022.

Since 2020, Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) has partnered with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for the Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action Program-2 (ATSEA-2) program. This program aims, among other things, to support the Government of Indonesia in fisheries management in the Arafura Sea through the implementation of the EAFM action plan, FIP partnership network with the private sector in sustainable fisheries management, and leads to Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.

Head of Fisheries Research Center of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Yayan Hikmayani in his remarks explained, "The Arafura Sea which is included in the Fisheries Management Area (WPP) 718 is one of the waters with the highest fishery productivity in Indonesia which must be managed sustainably. For this reason, the network that has been formed through this program must continue to optimize, so that good cooperation is built between relevant stakeholders, including business actors, in implementing sustainable fisheries activities in WPP 718.”

This program collaborates with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), local government agencies, fishing ports, EAFM Learning Center, and FIP stakeholders related to red snapper fisheries in the activity target areas. In 2020 and 2021, YKAN has assisted KKP in conducting the study, identification, and implementation of the EAFM and FIP action plans. “WPP 718 is very strategic and will be a benchmark for other WPPs. Therefore, the results of the study conducted by YKAN will greatly assist us in preparing the Fishery Management Plan,” explained the Coordinator of Fish Resources, Inland Sea, Territorial, and Archipelagic Waters of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ferry Sutyawan.

The involvement of the business sectors in supporting sustainable fisheries is also very important, which is developed through the FIP partnership scheme. One of the main efforts in the established FIP partnership scheme is to limit the size of the fish caught. "We invite business actors to pay attention to the size limit of fish caught as well as the use of fishing gear. All of this is to support the availability of fish stocks and avoid overfishing. In addition, efforts to raise public awareness and the fishery traceability system must also continue to be improved,” said YKAN Small-Scale Fisheries Manager Nandana Godjali.

"From the results of our study, the challenge of fisheries management in the Arafura Sea is to maintain sustainable marine and coastal management. Development progress often neglects important habitats such as coral reefs, seagrasses, and mangroves. In addition, the problem of plastic waste must also be immediately solved. Because it will threaten the sustainability of the fisheries sector. Through this program, we and our partners have made various efforts, such as capacity building for partners, scientific studies, awareness, and governance," concluded YKAN's Sustainable Fisheries Senior Manager Glaudy Perdanahardja.