Indonesian-Australian Discussion Forum Promotes Sustainable Fisheries

The Indonesian and Australian Governments held a Discussion Forum in Bali this week as part of an ongoing joint awareness-raising campaign to promote sustainable fisheries and to prevent illegal fishing in Indonesian and Australian waters.

“This joint information campaign helps fishing communities understand how to manage their activities in line with the existing regulations in both Australia and Indonesia,” Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer said.

Illegal fishing poses significant fisheries conservation, environmental, quarantine and security risks for both Indonesia and Australia.

The Forum, involving Australian and Indonesian fisheries officials, agreed to run a series of capacity building workshops throughout 2009 in East Java, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Maluku and Papua provinces for fisheries extension workers, provincial and district fisheries staff and fisher/community leaders to enable them to respond to fishers concerns regarding sustainable and illegal fishing practices.

The Forum provided information on successful joint Indonesia-Australia activities to combat illegal fishing activities, including the joint surveillance patrols; community development programs; fisheries legislation; the system of extension services in the districts; and the criminal elements of illegal fishing activities.

Discussion also focused on ensuring clear advice and information was being provided to the affected provinces regarding permissible and non permissible fishing activities, especially in an area of water where Indonesia has jurisdiction for the management of swimming fish and Australia has jurisdiction for the management of sedentary species on the sea floor.

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