IPB Expert: Ecosystem-Based Fishery Governance And Spatial Justice

The capture fisheries in Indonesia is facing a serious crisis due to excessive pressure on fish stocks, rampant illegal fishing practices, and damage to marine ecosystems. This condition not only threatens national food security, but also causes economic and ecological losses in the long term.

The World Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) noted that around 34 percent of global fish stocks are currently in overfishing conditions, including in Indonesia's fisheries management areas. This situation is an alarm for the need for more comprehensive and sustainable fisheries management.

"We need governance that is not only based on law, but also based on ecosystem and spatial justice for small fishermen," said Professor of IPB University for Capture Fisheries, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Prof Ronny Irawan Wahju, Thursday, June 12.

According to Prof Ronny, the diversity of fishing gear used in the field also has a different impact on the marine environment. Therefore, the development of environmentally friendly fishing technology is a crucial step. This is in line with the Code of Conduct for Respondible Fisheries and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14) related to marine ecosystems.

Various innovations have been developed, including the use of selective fishing gear and side-catching reduction devices (Bycatch Reduction Device/BRD) for industrial fisheries such as bagged shrimp hela nets.

In the cydat fisheries sector, push net or sodok fishing gear shows high effectiveness, reaching 93.4 percent, with low sideshots, which is only 6.6 percent.

In addition, the use of LED lights on the insang net has proven to be able to suppress sideshots of protected species such as sea noodles, turtles, and manta rays by up to 60 percent. This innovation is considered to contribute importantly to the protection of marine biodiversity.

However, other challenges also arise from the ghost gear phenomenon, namely the missing but still active fishing gear at sea. These tools still catch passively and have a destructive impact on marine ecosystems. It is estimated that economic losses due to ghost gear in a number of coastal areas reach billions of rupiah every year.

"This requires concrete actions such as implementing a fishing gear tagging system (gear marking), innovation of environmentally friendly fishing gear, and strengthening mitigation policies," he added.

In terms of policy, regulations such as the Regulation of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Number 36 of 2023 have led to zoning regulations for arrests based on the principle of sustainability. However, Prof. Ronny emphasized that the real challenge lies in implementation in the field.

"Without strong supervision and the participation of fishing communities, regulations will find it difficult to overcome problems that occur in the field," he said.

He also encouraged cross-sector collaboration between the central and regional governments, research institutions, business actors, and coastal communities to synergize. The goal is to realize a capture fisheries system that is not only productive, but also fair and sustainable for future generations.