Fish for Good - Indonesia

Fish for Good is sponsored by the Dutch National Postcode Lottery.

Why Indonesia?

Indonesian fisheries are working within some of the world's richest and most productive marine ecosystems. Indonesia is the second largest fish producer in the world and catch volumes continue to increase. Fish products account for 54% of the national animal protein intake. 

However, some Indonesian fish stocks are being overfished and domestic food security, local socio-economics and marine biodiversity are at risk. To overcome these challenges, the Indonesian government has been working with stakeholders towards sustainable fisheries. Fish for Good supports these efforts and actively works with the Indonesian government, fisheries and other vital stakeholders towards more sustainable fishing practices.

In 2019, the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) and the MSC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), affirming a joint commitment to strengthening collaboration on sustainable fishing. 

How does it work?

Stage 1 - mapping

The MSC conducts a scan of 50 species in Indonesia and, based on the results, selects 13 species for deeper mapping. Those species are mapped according to their: 

• economic value
• market potential
• food security
• areas fished
• gear(s) used 
• catch volumes 
• stock status  
• environmental impacts

Stage 2 - pre-assessment

The Fish for Good advisory group evaluated the findings and selected fisheries to be pre-assessed against the MSC Fisheries Standard. The pre-assessment process measures the performance of each fishery and identifies areas for improvement. Pre-assessment of the fisheries is undertaken by an accredited third-party assessor.

Fisheries undergoing pre-assessment

• blue swimmer crab
  
• snapper/grouper
• mud crab
• squid
• banana prawn
• short bodied mackerel
• tongkol (mackerel tuna)
• anchovy
• tiger prawn

Stage 3 - action plan development

At the end of pre-assessments a report will identify where fisheries need to improve to meet the MSC Fisheries Standard and be certified as sustainable. From this point action plans are developed with proposals for how to make the necessary improvements.   

Local organisations develop the fishery action plans. The MSC supports these organisations by supplying them with templates and guidance on global best practice. 

Each action plan is different and addresses challenges specific to each fishery. Actions may include:   

• Adding on board observer programmes
• Implementing vessel tracking systems 
• Improving baitfish management

Advisory group

Our Indonesian advisory group provides independent advice, views and recommendations about the effectiveness of the activities to deliver the Fish for Good objectives. The role of its members includes providing advice on priorities and fisheries selection for pre-assessment, action plan development and recommendations as fisheries embark on a path towards recognising sustainable fishing practices. 

The advisory group in Indonesia consists of representatives of the Ministry of Marine Affairs,World Wildlife Fund Indonesia,Bogor Agricultural University,Coral Triangle Center,Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security,International Pole and Line Foundation, MDPI, Marine Change,RARE and Telapak Society.

Tuna workstream

The Advisory Group for Indonesia has recognised tuna as a priority species. 

Following consultation with the Ministry of Marine Affairs, fisheries and NGOs, Fish for Good approved support for 10 pole and line and handline skipjack and yellowfin tuna fisheries affiliated with AP2HI (Indonesian Pole and Line and Handline Tuna Association).

In collaboration with the International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF), these fisheries have already developed a pre-assessment and an action plan against the MSC Standard. Fish for Good helps these fisheries review and update these plans so they can start implementing actions need to move towards sustainability.

Two of the tuna fisheries - the International Pole and Line Foundation's Kendari pole and line skipjack and yellowfin tuna fishery and the Kendari handline yellowfin tuna fishery - are also taking part in the In-Transition to MSC (ITM) program. The ITM program supports fisheries committed to MSC certification by offering independent verification of their progress. These fisheries also received support from the MSC's Ocean Stewardship Fund.

Want to know more?

Contact [email protected]

Stories