Indonesia's Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, recently called for a reevaluation of the country's fish-catching processes, citing challenges in exporting marine products to Europe due to unregulated fishing practices threatening sustainability. Based on 2022 data, the top three seafood exports include shrimp (34%), tuna-mackerel-bonito (15%), and squid-octopus (11.81%). Primary export destinations are China, Japan, the EU, the US, and ASEAN countries, with limited quantities reaching European markets. Despite well-regulated fisheries on paper, Minister Sakti notes a lack of control, with around 80% of Indonesian fisheries in overfishing status, intensified by climate change and biodiversity decline. To address this, the Blue Halo S program integrates ecological and economic sustainability. Minister Sakti issued a Circular Letter for the Measured Fish Capture (PIT) policy, a priority for the blue economy, aiming to sustain marine ecosystems, enhance product quality, improve community welfare, and contribute to national economic growth.
The program also focuses on sustainable fisheries management, setting catch limits, optimizing productivity, promoting sustainable practices, strengthening supply chains, and improving data reliability. Blue Halo S contributes to the Advanced Fisher Villages initiative, enhancing fishing industry capabilities. In the preparatory phase for WPP 572 implementation, covering Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Bengkulu, Lampung, and Banten, the program involves various stakeholders, including central government bodies and local administrations. Despite the potential of fisheries in WPP 572, most categories are in the red status, signifying unsustainable practices. The goal is to transform Indonesia's fisheries to green, following blue economy principles, making the sector a significant contributor to Indonesia's GDP and securing a prominent place in global markets.
