Indonesia’s Directorate General of Strengthening the Competitiveness of Marine and Fishery Products (PDSPKP) of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has signed an agreement with the World Wildlife Fund Indonesia Foundation aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of Indonesian marine and fishery products and addressing the challenges of global food security.
The collaboration focuses on strengthening market access and meeting product standards for sustainable fisheries. This includes compliance with global regulations such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), which is a requirement for export to the United States.
Indonesia is one of the main exporters of fishery products, with exports reaching $6.24 billion in 2023. The ministry said it has a potential for capture fisheries of 12.01 million tons per year, so it can actively contribute to ensuring the sustainability of seafood for global food needs. It is also the second largest seaweed producer in the world after China, according the ministry.
This collaboration focuses on strengthening the fish and seaweed processing sector, ensuring that products can be traced and meet sustainability principles to obtain global certification such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).
“Indonesia has great potential in the fisheries industry. With this collaboration, we want to ensure that this sector not only supports the national economy but also provides real benefits for small fishermen, MSMEs, and marine ecosystems,” said Director General of PDSPKP, Budi Sulistiyo.
The agreement also aims to strengthen entrepreneurship and economic resilience of fishermen and small-scale fish farmers through sustainable livelihood programs. It emphasizes the importance of public awareness in encouraging responsible fisheries practices. Educational campaigns will be intensified to increase public understanding of the consumption of certified and sustainable fishery products.
“It is important to work collaboratively with multiple parties, both with the government, communities and industry in ensuring a sustainable aquatic food system,” said Dewi Lestari Yani Rizki, Conservation Director WWF-Indonesia. “WWF-Indonesia is committed to ensuring that sustainable fisheries practices can be implemented. By maintaining a balance between resource utilization and conservation, we can ensure food security and the welfare of coastal communities in the future.”
WWF-Indonesia reports that Indonesia produced 57,908 tons of environmentally friendly seafood throughout 2019-2024. The organization has been involved with the country’s sustainable fisheries and aquaculture including farmed shrimp, of which 62% of the 2,644 tons of production have obtained ASC ecolabel certification. The organization also contributes to the preparation of the National Action Plan (RAN) for Marine Mammal Conservation and monitoring bycatch in various Indonesian fisheries areas.
