The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF) have partnered to propel research capacity and support sustainable tuna fisheries in Indonesia’s coastal fisheries.
The partnership, which began work with the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) and Indonesian industry, has been awarded funding by the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) Global Fisheries Sustainability Fund (GFSF).
The GFSF funds projects which help to strengthen knowledge and build capacity for small-scale and developing world fisheries and is specifically aimed at increasing the accessibility of the MSC program by working to reduce barriers fisheries face in achieving the MSC Standard.
The project will build local capacity around data collection and stock assessment on small pelagic species that are commonly used as baitfish in the local pole-and-line tuna fishery.
By enhancing data collection capabilities for the baitfish species, this initiative will support efforts to achieve MSC certification for skipjack and yellowfin tuna fisheries in Eastern Indonesia, the first of which officially entered the assessment process in June 2017.
MSC certification is awarded to fisheries which can demonstrate their sustainability, ensuring continued ability to support the fish stock and wider ecosystem, as well as future livelihoods for fishers. However, due to a lack of data, small-scale tuna fisheries can face challenges in demonstrating their eligibility.
Through this partnership Cefas and IPNLF will work closely with MMAF and the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs (CMMRA) to understand and identify solutions on the impacts of the fishery in line with MSC criteria. Simultaneously, training will be provided for fisheries scientists and managers, to build capacity for similar schemes in other fisheries.
The 12-month project is the first to be commenced as a result of bilateral talks held in Jakarta and London, which produced a UK-Indonesia marine Implementing Agreement.
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