The Indonesian tuna industry plays a vital role in the nation's economy, offering both employment and sustenance to many local communities. However, unsustainable fishing practices have led to the depletion of tuna stocks, making it crucial to adopt a more strategic approach to harvesting this valuable resource. In response to this challenge, a collaborative group of stakeholders formed the Tuna Consortium in 2021 to support Indonesia's efforts in developing and implementing a sustainable tuna harvest strategy. This group includes stakeholders from non-profit, private, and public sectors, working alongside Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) to establish effective management measures for tuna fisheries in Indonesia's Archipelagic Waters (IAW).
Protecting Indonesia’s tuna fisheries is a complex endeavor that requires the involvement of numerous stakeholders, both locally and globally. The development of the Tuna Harvest Strategy exemplifies the critical role of multi-stakeholder engagement in successful fisheries management. The process took nearly a decade to complete, underscoring the importance of sustained cooperation for effective conservation efforts.
What is the IAW Tuna Harvest Strategy?
The IAW Tuna Harvest Strategy is a comprehensive framework designed to sustainably manage tuna fisheries in eastern Indonesia, specifically in Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs) 713, 714, and 715, as registered under the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. The primary goal of this strategy is to progressively reduce tuna catch by 10% over three years. Key components of the strategy include stock assessments, monitoring and control measures, and robust stakeholder engagement.
The development of the Harvest Strategy followed a phased approach. It began with consultations in 2013 that involved fishers, scientists, and government agencies. The process continued with extensive data collection and analysis to assess tuna stock health and fishing impacts. In 2018, the stakeholders introduced an interim harvest strategy with an Interim Limit Reference Point designed to maintain spawning stock biomass above 20% of the unfished level with a 90% probability.
Over the subsequent five years, the stakeholders introduced three key management measures:
- A limit on the use of Fish Aggregating Devices
- Spatial closures of critical spawning or nursery grounds and temporal closures during key spawning events
- Total Allowable Catch limits per FMA, subject to stakeholder review
The final strategy was shaped by continuous feedback from stakeholders, with clear implementation timelines to track progress and make necessary adjustments. This iterative, collaborative process ensures that the strategy remains both effective and sustainable over time.
Who Was Involved?
The development of the IAW Tuna Harvest Strategy involved a wide array of stakeholders, each contributing vital expertise to the creation of a sustainable management plan.
Government Agencies: The MMAF played a central role in regulating, researching, and enforcing policies to ensure that the strategy met both national and international standards for sustainable fishing. Their involvement was crucial in aligning the strategy with broader economic and environmental goals.
Fishing Communities: Local fishers provided invaluable traditional knowledge and firsthand experience. Their participation ensured that the strategy was grounded in reality and that the policies would be practical and effective for the communities most impacted by the tuna fisheries. Engaging these communities also fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility for the long-term success of the strategy.
Industry Representatives: Tuna processing companies and exporters helped bridge the gap between ecological sustainability and market demands. Their input was essential in balancing the needs of the tuna industry with the imperative to protect tuna stocks for future generations.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Conservation groups brought crucial expertise in environmental management and advocacy. They helped raise awareness about the ecological importance of tuna fisheries and championed sustainable practices through research, community engagement, and policy advocacy.
Academic Institutions: Researchers provided scientific insights that informed decision-making, conducting studies on tuna populations, ecosystems, and the socio-economic impacts of fishing practices. This research ensured that the strategy was evidence-based and responsive to the complex realities of tuna fisheries management.
By collaborating across these diverse stakeholder groups, the Tuna Harvest Strategy was able to balance sustainability with the needs of the communities that depend on tuna for their livelihoods.
Lessons Learned from Multi-Stakeholder Coordination
Resonance, as the Secretariat for the Indonesia Tuna Consortium, coordinated efforts among five key members over the past three years. Through this experience, several valuable lessons were learned that can guide future multi-stakeholder engagements in fisheries management.
- Establish Formal Engagement Structures
To maintain momentum, it is essential to put a formal structure in place, such as a steering or working group. A central coordinating body can help keep participants accountable, ensuring that progress is made toward agreed-upon goals. Regular meetings and workshops, supported by clear practices and timelines, are also important for maintaining momentum. - Invest in Building Relationships
Long-term fisheries management requires sustained collaboration. Building trust and strong relationships among stakeholders is critical to fostering open dialogue and mutual understanding. This investment in relationship-building helps stakeholders reach agreements and identify solutions more efficiently. - Ensure Transparent Communication
Open and transparent communication is key to successful engagement. It builds trust and prevents redundant efforts or wasted resources. Sharing data and research findings is especially important in fisheries management, as it allows stakeholders to align their efforts, avoid duplicating work, and learn from each other. - Incorporate Local Knowledge
Indonesia’s vast archipelago is home to diverse fishing communities, each with its own unique practices and traditions. While national and regional coordinating bodies are essential, integrating the traditional knowledge of local fishermen is crucial to developing sustainable management plans. The current Harvest Strategy seeks to combine scientific data with this traditional knowledge for more effective management. - Leverage Diverse Expertise
Multi-stakeholder engagements offer the benefit of tapping into a broad range of expertise. Each stakeholder brings unique insights that contribute to a well-rounded and effective strategy. In the case of Indonesia’s tuna fisheries, this diversity of expertise helped create a more robust and inclusive management approach. - Address Competing Interests
One of the biggest challenges in multi-stakeholder engagements is finding common ground among groups with competing interests. While all stakeholders may agree on the long-term goal of a prosperous and sustainable tuna fishery, they may differ on how to achieve it. Navigating these differences requires open dialogue, compromise, and a shared vision for the future. - Plan for the Long Term
Coordinating multi-stakeholder efforts is time-consuming and requires a long-term commitment from all parties. However, the benefits of sustained collaboration are significant, as it leads to more comprehensive and durable solutions. It is crucial to maintain the momentum from previous engagements. Often there are short-term collaboration efforts that are successful but without plans for sustaining the collaboration and coordination. This can lead to having to restart or reinvigorate efforts, which can be resource-intensive.
What Comes Next?
The launch of the IAW Tuna Harvest Strategy marks an important milestone in improving the sustainability of tuna fisheries in Indonesia. However, the real challenge now lies in implementing the strategy and achieving the goal of a 10% reduction in catch.
At the core of this effort is the understanding that stakeholder engagement is not just a procedural step—it is the foundation of success. Bringing together diverse perspectives—from government agencies and fishing communities to industry representatives, NGOs, and academic institutions—creates a collaborative environment where knowledge is shared, trust is built, and innovative solutions can flourish. This unified approach underscores the power of collective action. When stakeholders work together toward a common goal, their combined efforts have the potential for a much greater impact.
This approach is not only about protecting tuna stocks but also about strengthening the resilience of communities that depend on these fisheries for their livelihoods. Artisanal small-scale fisheries, in particular, are central to Indonesia’s cultural heritage. Sustainable management ensures that both the ecosystem and the communities can thrive over the long term.
However, the path to sustainability is challenging. Monitoring and compliance are critical components of the strategy, but it can be resource-intensive to ensure adherence to regulations. Effective tracking systems and ongoing support are essential to overcoming these challenges. This highlights the need for continuous collaboration and innovation in monitoring efforts to meet sustainability goals.
As Indonesia aims to lead the global tuna market, this strategic shift toward sustainability is increasingly important. By adopting best practices and fostering collaboration, Indonesia can position itself as a model for responsible fisheries management, setting an example for other nations. This not only boosts the country’s standing in international markets but also ensures that tuna production benefits both the economy and the environment.
Moreover, to achieve broader support for sustainable practices, it is important to elevate these efforts in public and policy discussions. Highlighting the benefits of collaboration can shift public perceptions and inspire greater support for initiatives that prioritize ocean health and the well-being of coastal communities.
The Indonesia Tuna Consortium demonstrates the power of a multi-stakeholder approach in managing fisheries sustainably. By bringing together diverse partners from the non-profit, private, and public sectors, the Consortium has enabled collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and coordinated action to address the complex challenges facing Indonesia’s tuna fisheries. The successful development and launch of the Tuna Harvest Strategy is a testament to the power of this collaborative model.
As Indonesia moves forward with the implementation of the Harvest Strategy, the lessons learned from the Consortium’s work will serve as a valuable guide for future stakeholder engagement efforts. By continuing to prioritize science-based, inclusive, and adaptive approaches to fisheries management, Indonesia can set a global example for sustainable tuna fisheries that balance ecological conservation with economic prosperity and food security for coastal communities.
Learn more about the accomplishments under the Indonesia Tuna Consortium Phase 2 in the report, Shared Action: Building momentum and collaboration in sustainable tuna fisheries management in Indonesia.
Photo Credits: MDPI
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