Praise and thanks be to God Almighty for the completion of the Guidelines for Handling Small Marine Mammals as Bycatch as part of efforts to improve sustainable fisheries practices mandated in the National Plan of Action for Marine Mammals and fisheries regulations, both national and international. These guidelines are also expected to provide practical steps to improve the survival of marine mammals caught in purse seine, gill net and longline gear in Indonesia. The development of this BMP has gone through several processes, namely field data collection and desk study, pilot project activities in several locations, WWF Indonesia internal review and Focus Group Discussion with several experts as external expert reviewers.

These BMPs are practical guidelines specific to purse seine, gill net and longline vessel operations. BMPs are practical guidelines that can be applied to both small-scale and large-scale fishing vessel operations. This guide was developed through several stages including a literature review, most of the materials were taken from the experience of WWF Indonesia team in several locations on vessel operations to deal with bycatch of small marine mammals. This guide is a document that will continue to be refined in accordance with developments in the field and input from academics and practitioners.

Our sincere thanks for the assistance and cooperation from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Whale Stranding Indonesia (WSI) and practitioners for all the constructive input to improve this guide. We apologize if there are errors and shortcomings in the process of preparing this guide.

May 2023

Compilation Team

WWWF Indonesia Foundation