In this 5th issue of Talking SEA, we focus on how to support improved compliance for improved marine stewardship. When we talk about managing marine resources, we are really referring to managing what people do in the marine realm. Thus, coastal law enforcement and compliance are about influencing and correcting human behavior. As a disincentive to bad behavior, people need to know the consequences of breaking the law, both in terms of damage to their resources and penalties they might incur if convicted of illegal actions.
In this newsletter, we learn that the Indonesian government is working hard to counter illegal behavior through laws, Port State Measures, and tracking and capturing illegal foreign fishing vessels operating in its waters. The USAID SEA Project is working to strengthen platforms for collaboration between law enforcers and community-based initiatives, and we welcome your ideas on how to move this process forward.