PT Matsyaraja Arnawa Stambhapura (PT MAS) is a fresh fish processing company located in Kupang city, East Nusa Tenggara Province. PT MAS has joined the Seafood Savers membership since 27 May 2021 to implement the fisheries improvement program. In order to provide a more in-depth overview and understanding of the fisheries improvement program to PT MAS and related partners involved both in Kupang Province and National Yaysan WWF Indonesia organized MSC Capacity Building Training Level I and Chain of Custody (CoC).

The training was conducted online through the zoom meeting platform on August 9-10, 2022 with the support of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Indonesia, the Directorate of Fish Resources Management - Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia and the Maritime and Fisheries Service of East Nusa Tenggara Province. The training was attended by 35 people from various backgrounds such as fish companies, academics, NGOs and government.

The training began with singing the Indonesia Raya song, reading prayers and remarks delivered from Imam Mustofa Zainudin (WWF Indonesia Foundation), I Gusti Arya Agung Sudiksa (PT MAS), and Anakleteus Tese (East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Marine and Fisheries Service) who also opened the training activities. In his speech, Imam said that MSC fisheries certification is important in the hope that it will increase stocks by filtering the rate of responsible fishing so that market fulfillment regarding fishery products is still fulfilled.

The training materials were delivered by Hirmen Syofyanto as Program Director of MSC Indonesia and Mr. Anthony Alvin as Fisheries Manager Indonesia and SE Asia MSC Indonesia. In his presentation, Hirmen explained material related to Fisheries and its problems, MSC certification and ecolabeling programs, MSC fisheries standards, scope, principles and units, assessment process, assessment tree standards, risk-based framework, and MSC fisheries improvement tools.

There are 3 principles of MSC certification assessment, namely, sustainable stocks, fisheries impact on the environment and effective fisheries management with 28 assessment indicators in the 3 principles. This training was even more interesting with group discussions in the breakout room to discuss the assessment unit and certification unit as well as the action plan that will be carried out in the process of achieving MSC certification.

The second day of training focused on discussing the MSC Chain of Custody Standard and providing an overview of companies preparing for certification audits in sustainable product supply chains. The material presented included the CoC-MSC Standard Standard Standard Version 5.0 and its challenges, Parties requiring CoC, MSC-CoC and Traceability, Three Versions of the CoC Standard, 5 principles of CoC, Audit and Certification Process, MSC Trademark Licensing, Maintenance of Certification, Use of Audit Checklist Documents and Role of government in product traceability. The three versions of the CoC standard are Standard, Group and Consumer-Facing Organization while the 5 CoC principles are certified products are purchased from certified suppliers, certified products are identifiable, certified products are segregated, traceable and volume recorded and company systems meet the standard. Just like on the first day, on the second day participants also had group discussions to discuss the audit process that would be carried out at the company.

Before closing, participants conveyed their impressions and messages in attending the MSC Level I Capacity Building and Chain of Custody Training that had been carried out online for 2 days.

"After attending the training for two days, the benefits that I got were increased knowledge about what MSC Certification and CoC Chain of Custody are so that in the future we know what must be prepared to go to MSC and CoC certification. It is an honor to be part of this event," said Breva Rizki Nugraha as General Manager of PT Matsyara Arnawa Stambhapura.

The closing of the training was conducted by Stefani, Secretary of the Maritime and Fisheries Service of East Nusa Tenggara Province, "Let's close the ranks not only on this training but for other marine fisheries work to come."