Synergy for Sustainable Fisheries in Indonesia

Efficient monitoring of data related to fishery status and stocks is the primary reference for regulating fishing practices through harvest control rules, which can be enforced and mutually agreed upon by policymakers, researchers, fishery entrepreneurs and industry, and other fishery actors.

The "Socialization of Fishing e-Log Book Data Collection and the Crew-Operated Data Recording System (CODRS) Became the main discussion, in Donggala Regency, Central Sulawesi, on January 4-5, 2023. This event was organized by the Directorate of Fish Resources Management, Directorate General of Capture Fisheries, and Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (PSDI-DJPT-KKP) together with the Nusantara Natural Conservation Foundation (YKAN). This activity is intended for tuna fishing vessels operating in the Republic of Indonesia State Fisheries Management Area (WPPNRI) 713, which includes the waters of the Makassar Strait.

"The main key to fisheries management success depends on adequate and quality data and information management. One of them is through the application of a fishing e-log book. In the future, the fishing e-log book will have an important role in the implementation of measured fishing policies, which is one of the KKP's priority programs," explained Diding Sudira Efendi, Coordinator of the Monitoring Group, Management Analysis, and Allocation of Fish Resources, the Directorate of PSDI, KKP, in an event held attended by approximately 60 owners and captains of the purse seine boats.

Diding added that the Government of Indonesia is currently preparing a fishery management policy transformation scheme through quota-based measurable fishing. The caught fish submitted by the skipper through the e-log book fishing records will be used as data on the realization of quota utilization.

KKP has developed an application to improve service efficiency and facilitate data access to support this. This application is called Electronic Measured Fishing (e-PIT). The E-PIT contains several services available at the KKP, including the Fast Service Permit Information System (SILAT), the Fishing Vessel Registration Information System (SIPALKA), the Sailing Approval Issuance System (TemanSPB), the Monitoring Information System (e-SLO), the Online PNBP Information (Simponi), Fisheries Port Information Center (PIPP), and Fishing Log Book Information System (SILOPI).

On this occasion, the Directorate of PSDI expressed appreciation to various parties, especially YKAN, which has committed to helping strengthen the tuna data collection system. Especially in collecting information on the type of fish caught, the location of the catch, and the number of pitfalls per fish species. Through this collaboration, quality data on tuna fisheries will be obtained by increasing the accuracy of the type, and weight of fish reported and increasing the coverage level of vessels that implement fishing e-log books. Particularly for tuna fishery commodities in WPPNRI 713, the reporting still needs to be improved compared to other WPPNRI.

"We thank KKP and YKAN for carrying out this activity. We hope fishermen, boat owners, and skippers understand the importance of filling out the e-log book. With the implementation of the e-log book in the fishing business for fishing vessels over 5 GT, we at UPT Fisheries Port Region I will also be helped to obtain fish production data more easily, accurately, and in real-time. Apart from that, synergistic cooperation is maintained in coaching, mentoring, and providing understanding to skippers about the importance of filling out the e-log book," said the Head of UPT Fisheries Port Region I Donggala Muklis A.B.

On this occasion, 22 units of tuna fishing vessels activated the fishing e-log book as a reporting and data collection application by fishermen. The ship captains were enthusiastic about learning how to use the application. Reporting of fishing data submitted by these fishermen forms the basis of information in managing tuna fisheries, especially in WPPNRI 713, to support the traceability of fishery products.

"The implementation of the e-log book and CODRS is an effort 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'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, "concluded YKAN's Sustainable Fisheries Senior Manager Glaudy Perdanahardja.