The Importance of Implementing Measured Fisheries Policies in Indonesia
ecology foundation/02-22-2022
Hi Ecology Friends
Did you know that ?
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Currently, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia is planning the implementation of a measurable fisheries policy in the management of fisheries resources based on the Republic of Indonesia Fisheries Management Are (WPPNRI) which will begin in early 2022. Fisheries management areas describe the division of fisheries management areas that based on ecology, regional characteristics, and fish resources that are used as the basis for sustainable and sustainable fisheries management (Umam, 2019). This measurable fisheries policy is contained in the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Regulation No. 18 of 2021. The Head of the Implementation Team for the Work Unit of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Annastasia Rita Tisiana, explained that measurable fishing is a derivative of the blue economy principle, as often stated by the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono (KKP, 2021).
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The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) stated that measurable fishery policy was carried out with licensing and considering quotas so that the catches of business actors were based on the quota/catch limit (KKP, 2021). The fishing quota will be divided into quotas for industry, traditional fishermen, and quotas for hobbies or tourism. In addition, fishing will be divided into three zoning, namely fishing zoning for industry, catching zoning for local fishermen, and zoning for spawning ground as an effort to maintain the fishery population in Indonesian waters while realizing a blue economy.
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The Director General of Capture Fisheries at KKP Muhammad Zaini added that the application of the concept of measurable fishing was aimed at equitable distribution of community welfare and equitable development in Indonesia. Furthermore, Muhammad Zaini also stated that the principle of measurable fisheries management is to ensure equal access between small fishermen and large fishermen through lane division and limiting fishing capacity (Merdeka, 2021). In implementing this policy, the first step taken by the KKP is to determine the health of fish stocks in each WPPNRI area, which will then regulate the number of fish that can be caught, including the number of fishing vessels and their fishing gear.
WPPNRI is divided into several territorial waters throughout Indonesia, one of which is WPPNRI 711 which includes the waters of the Karimata Strait, Natuna Sea and South China Sea. The potential of marine capture fisheries resources of WPPNRI 711 reaches 767,126 tons, based on the Decree of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Number 50/KEPMEN-KP/2017 (Setyawan, 2021). However, these areas within WPPNRI 711 face various problems issues such as rampant illegal fishing practices by foreigners and overfishing experienced by the Riau Archipelago. With the implementation of the measured fisheries policy in WPPNRI 711, it is hoped that these issues can be addressed to maintain fish populations so that they can be used sustainably by various parties. Measurable fisheries policies can balance fish catch quotas by industry, traditional fishermen, and hobbyists so that each party gets the appropriate catch. Traditional fishermen who previously had difficulty catching fish because they were competed by the industry will have the flexibility to catch fish and their catch will increase.
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So, what do you think, Ecology Friends? This scalable fishery concept is very suitable to be applied in WPPNRI 711, right? With the implementation of a measurable fisheries policy, the capture fisheries sub-sector can be managed sustainably because it pays attention to the principle of quotas in its catch so as to help realize a blue economy in Indonesia. This measurable fisheries policy must also be balanced with good coastal and marine area management so as to maintain the sustainability of fishery resources. The government must prepare various facilities to support the implementation of policies and monitor the progress of these policies so that they can be implemented effectively and efficiently.
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For this reason, a mature strategy is needed with government policies for the implementation of measurable fisheries policies as stated by the Director of Fish Resource Management, Trian Yunanda. Cooperation between various parties is needed in an effort to realize this policy, both the central government, regional governments, communities, and other parties. With the implementation of this policy, it is hoped that it can maintain marine and coastal ecosystems and create a more prosperous Indonesia, both economically and socially.