Last week, Indonesian President Joko Widodo went to South Sulawesi to visit with fisherfolk and discuss their concerns about overfishing by outside countries in the region.
Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported (IUU) fishing activity costs Indonesia a staggering 3 billion dollars every year. This highlights the glaring need to curb illegal fishing, which is threatening to deplete our ocean’s fish reserves and cripple local economies and livelihoods in the process. Let’s take a closer look at how illegal fishing is costing Indonesia.
“Yes, we (the government), want to see the problems that the fishermen are currently facing. Some problems still remain, such as those regarding permits acquisition, conflict between fishermen from different regions, and also inadequate fishing gears and equipment.” – President Joko Widodo
What is IUU fishing?
Illegal fishing occurs when fishermen disregard laws or regulations such as catch limits, size restrictions, or closed seasons. This activity can involve poaching protected species or using prohibited gear like cyanide fishing, explosives, and trawls. These practices are highly destructive to coral reefs and other marine habitats, as well as devastating for fish populations and food supply.
The Impact on Indonesia
Due to its geographical location between two major bodies of water – the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean – Indonesia, and specifically the Natuna Sea, has become a hotspot for illegal fishing activities. In addition to the billions of dollars lost each year due to these activities, some estimates suggest that up to 40% of all seafood products are illegally caught each year. This figure contributes directly to food insecurity in communities throughout Indonesia as fish populations decline rapidly. Furthermore, many local fishermen are unable to compete with larger vessels from other countries that carry out industrial-scale operations with impunity within Indonesian waters.
With an expansive coast and millions of lakes, Indonesia’s fisheries are a major economic force. From 2014 to 2021 the contribution of Indonesian fisheries to their GDP increased significantly — making them one of the most important industries in this country. As shown above.
What can be done?
The good news is that there has been progress towards curbing illegal fishing in recent years. In 2016, the Indonesian government passed legislation banning foreign fleets from operating within 12 nautical miles of its coasts without permission from local authorities – a move that was hailed by conservationists worldwide who applauded its potential positive effects on marine ecosystems and local communities alike. However, the regulation has been removed recently. Thus, more needs to be done if we are to effectively protect our oceans against further exploitation by foreign fleets.
