The Indonesian Government has adopted the ecosystem approach for fisheries management (EAFM), which is also the underlining approach of the USAID SEA Project. EAFM is a framework for managing fisheries that balances ecological, economic, and social objectives by applying an integrated approach across geographical areas that reflect natural ecosystems. The USAID SEA PROJECT’S EAFM have been focusing on these following four main activities:
- Providing assistance in the development of harvest strategies of important fisheries identified in the Fisheries Management Plan of FMA 715. Focal fisheries include red snapper, grouper, and pelagic fisheries. In developing the harvest strategies, insight on the fishery stock status is crucial. USAID SEA works closely with Directorate of Fishery Resources Management and Center for Fishery Research and Development to plan and implement stock-asssesment activities as a way of hands-on capacity building. Additionally, USAID SEA accelerates multistakeholder-engagement among private sectors, fishery associations and NGOs that play important roles in supplementing fishery data.
- Supporting the Government of Indonesia in fishery management at the FMA-scale by initiating the establishment of Fishery Management Committee (FMC) for FMA 715. The USAID SEA Project is aiming to establish a functional and effective FMC to enable harmonized and integrated fishery management strategies which can provide sustainable economic, social, and cultural benefits.
- Accelerating the adoption and implementation of an electronic-based and integrated vessel registration system established by MMAF, “SIMKADA.” The USAID SEA Project has been working to facilitate a series of training and capacity building activities for provincial level staff responsible in SIMKADA operation, identify and verify small-scale fishing vessels at community level as well as facilitate small-scale fisheries to have access into the SIMKADA.
- Providing technical and advocacy support to small-scale fisheries which includes but is not limited to, improving supply chains, market access, and securing small-scale fishing rights and access.