Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) Indonesia organized a Year-End Dialogue themed “Kaleidoscope 2023 and Outlook 2024 in Jakarta, on Friday, December 15/2023.” The event was attended by the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, and the Act Director General of Capture Fisheries, Agus Suherman.
During the opening, DFW National Coordinator, Moh Abdi Suhufan, stated that the purpose of this dialogue is to review the development and marine issues during 2023 and policy that needs to be the government’s focus in 2024. “This discussion is to reflect on the journey and dynamics of the development of the Maritime and Fisheries sector over the past year and issues that need attention in 2024,” said Abdi.
In dissecting crucial issues in the fisheries and marine sector of Indonesia during this dialogue, Miftah Choir, a researcher and Human Rights Manager at DFW, and Suhana, the Dean of the Faculty of Universitas Teknologi Muhamadiah (UTM), summarized issues in the maritime and fisheries sector during 2023. These issues encompass policies from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), coastal communities, fishermen, and the macroeconomic impact of the fisheries and marine sector.
2023 is The Apex of Sea Plunder: Policy Implications on Small Communities
Miftahul explained that the erosion of civil democratic freedoms marked the beginning of the regression of fisheries and marine policies. Miftah further elaborated, “A tangible example occurred in Pulau Rempang, where extractive mining and the fish catching policy received negative responses from ship-owners and the local community” said Miftah. Civil Society Organizations, who were present as invitees, consistently accompany and facilitate small communities in observing the implications of policies on a daily basis. “Whether we like it or not, this organization directly responds to problems arising from controversial policies,” said Miftah.
In his presentation, Miftah outlined issues of justice for fisheries workers and fishermen. “Furthermore, there is still the exploitation of marine resources and fisheries workers, which has not received attention from the ministry, including the hindrance of fisheries workers to unionize structurally” said Miftah.
Finally, Miftah criticized protective policies and fisheries liberalization. Notably in 2023, marine and fisheries issues lacked public engagement, focused on economic growth, provided technical rather than permanent solutions, exhibited policy implementation unpreparedness, potential consolidation of marine oligarchy, and neglect of environmental and social impacts. Miftahul concluded that 2023 was the pinnacle of sea plunder.
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Impact of Maritime and Fisheries Policies From a Macro-Economic Perspective
Dean of UTM Faculty, Suhana, provided a macroeconomic overview of the maritime sector. She revealed that the target for Non-Tax State Revenue of 12 trillion was unattainable due to unsupportive policies, especially related to catching policy, which was unable to boost the income of the fisheries sector. Suhana explained, The target of 1.6 trillion in the next year will also be difficult to achieve without ministry readiness for its implementation.
Suhana also warned that fluctuations in the economic growth of fisheries made entrepreneurs reluctant to invest. “In the last four years, the value of Foreign Direct Investment (PMA) in the fisheries sector has tended to decline, especially in 2021, with a 61.51% decrease in investment,” clarified Suhana. Foreign investment declined due to political instability, requiring special attention from the government to maintain economic growth stability in this sector to attract business stakeholders.
Minister’s Perspective and Ministry Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) Strategic Plans for
2024Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, who attended online, highlighted various crucial aspects of the fisheries sector. He revealed a decline in exports, issues with the cold chain, and a decrease in fishermen’s purchasing power. Sakti emphasized the need for strengthening the cold chain by MMAF to ensure the quality of fish is maintained to maximize the potential of the Marine and Fisheries sector in Indonesia.
There are five strategic policy roadmaps that MMAF will implement in the fisheries sector in 2024. “The roadmap includes expanding marine conservation areas, monitoring vessels through VMS, developing sustainable aquaculture, coastal area supervision, and cleaning marine plastic waste,” explained Sakti Wahyu Trenggono.
Abdi Suhufan concluded the dialogue by highlighting the urgency of policy reform focusing on public engagement. He emphasized the importance of implementing Law No. 7 of 2016 regarding the protection and empowerment of fishermen and encouraging business actors to obtain human rights certifications.
“Next year, the government needs to increase attention to protect small fishermen through the provision of fuel, insurance for fishermen, and subsidized fertilizers for fish and shrimp farmers,” said Abdi.
He added that macroeconomic stability in fisheries’ economic growth needs to be tightly maintained. “In 2024, the government needs to maintain stability in the economic growth of fisheries through the creation of businesses and jobs, sustainable fisheries cultivation, and increasing the purchasing power of fishermen,” Abdi stated.
Through this dialogue, it is evident that the fisheries and marine sector requires active collaboration between the government, NGOs, CSOs/CBOs, academics, and the community to achieve sustainability and the well-being of fisheries workers in Indonesia.
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