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Protecting our fishing ground, securing our sustainable seafood
The FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries explicitly acknowledge that small-scale fishers need a secure and stable access to fishing grounds.
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A fisherman casts a net at sunset at Cunda estuary in Lhokseumawe, Special Region of Aceh, on July 15, 2020.
(AFP/Azwar Ipank)
In Indonesia, small-scale fishers contribute around 90 percent of the nation's seafood, providing almost 10 percent of the protein source to the nation’s 275 million population. These data show the sustainable consumption option -- locally sourced wild catch -- is relatively affordable and accessible.
Indonesians take pride in their seafood, and thriving culinary scenes built around traditional recipes are growing. The market responds to people’s sentiments in keeping the sector alive. Even start-ups are trying to contribute to bridging the market with small-scale fishers, introducing smart technology and data, all in the effort to advance the economy and overall wellbeing of the fishers.
Ironically, most consumers are not familiar with the threats facing our small-scale fishers. There are 6 million people who are directly involved in small-scale fishing business in the country (Maritime and Fisheries Statistics, 2018). The small fishers are confronting a daunting challenge in their ability to catch fish: the loss of fishing grounds.
In the pursuit of rapid growth and economic development, tenurial conflicts over fishing grounds are becoming more frequent.
Protecting fishing ground has been a global best practice intended to ensure sustainable food security. The FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries explicitly acknowledge that small-scale fishers need a secure and stable access to fishing grounds. Additionally, the guidelines call for access to other resources like land that allows fishers to bring fish ashore, have a place to process fish, and, not least, have a place to live.
Most importantly, while most consumers do not realize this, Indonesia gives a special place to small-scale fishery. In 2016, the House of Representatives passed a bill that was expected to protect and empower small-scale fishers, and at the same time provide solid grounds for the government to be more aggressive in protecting their fishing grounds.
