By Iriani Lamuha / Bestari Foundation & Davidson Rato Nono /WWF-Indonesia

JARING-Nusantara continues to make efforts to improve fisheries. This time, one of its members, Yayasan Berau Lestari (Bestari) held a training on Better Management Practices (BMP). It was held on September 27 in Bohesilian Village, Maratua Island, Berau Regency, East Kalimantan Province. This activity was attended by Bestari's assisted fishermen group consisting of 13 fishermen and one fresh reef fish collector. In addition, this activity was attended by one staff of the Maratua Island Fisheries Post, two representatives of the Maratua Island Self-Help Group and the Head of Bohesilian Village. Supported by the Head of Division and Head of Section of the Berau Regency Marine and Fisheries Agency (DKP), Bestari independently conducted BMP training, demonstrating its commitment as a member of JARING-Nusantara. Juhriansyah as the Leader of the Bestari Foundation at this training revealed the importance of sustainable and responsible fisheries management, so that the role of fishermen as producers is very important in preparing fishery products caught in responsible ways that in the future can be standardized as sustainable fishery products.

The same thing was also conveyed by Jahin from the Maratua Fisheries Post, fishermen play an important role in maintaining the sustainability of a fishery resource in the Maratua Island waters. In addition, there is great hope from the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP RI) which is mandated for the Maratua Island fishing community to continue to preserve the ecosystem on Maratua Island. Because Maratua is a strategic area with abundant marine resources.

In addition to introducing fisheries BMPs to fishermen, a sustainable fisheries simulation was also coupled with the presentation of BMP material. The simulation is packaged in the form of a game that is more easily understood by fishermen. Before the training began, fishermen were given a pre-test to measure their knowledge of sustainable fisheries, and at the end of the material a post-test was conducted to determine whether there was a change in knowledge or not. The post test results showed an increase, this became the basis for the Bestari Foundation to provide assistance to fishermen groups and became a mandatory task to maintain the behavior of Bohesilian Village fishermen in carrying out their daily fishing activities. In addition, the BESTARI Foundation together with the Bohesilian Village fishermen group agreed to record catches which are useful for knowing the status of reef fish resources in the waters of Bohesilian Village, Maratua Island.