International Funding Agency Supports Measured Fishing Program in Indonesia

TheIndonesia.co - Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is working with funding agency Global Environment Facility (GEF) to map out programs related to the implementation of measured fishing in the country.

Director of fish resource management at the Ministry Ridwan Mulayana and WWF-US vice president director Renae Stenhouse signed the 2022 annual work plan and budget which consists of 52 activity plans, as reported by the Ministry on Friday, February 4.

“The approved annual work plan will support the Ministry’s efforts to improve the welfare and sustainability of marine and fishery resources, including through measured fishing and fishing village policies,” Mulyana said.

The collaborative program, named GEF-6 Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia, will focus on ecosystem-based fisheries management in three of Indonesia’s fisheries management areas (WPP). East Seram, Teluk Wondama, and Southeast Maluku regencies have been appointed to host the pilot projects.

The 52 activities plan will include access distribution to capital, capture fish marketing, and fisheries business diversification. The program will also focus on the strengthening of capture fisheries from upstream to downstream, labeling, monitoring enhancement at provincial level, and regulation on the use of flying fish eggs as new innovations in fisheries management.

“It’s equally important to continue the development and advancement of fishing villages to realize strong and independent fishing centers, with improved capacity for fishers and their families," Mulyana explained.

The program is the implementation of grant agreement between the Ministry and WWF-US GEF Agency signed on December 23, 2019, in which the Ministry received US$7.37 million. The grant is due to end in 2025.