By: Adella Adiningtyas (Marine and Fishery Campaign and Social Media Assistant)

Congratulations to the selected speakers who have the opportunity to publish Scientific Papers (KTI) in proceedings and journals, as well as participate in the Crustacean Symposium which will be held on May 15 - 16, 2017 at the Mina Bahari IV Building (GMB IV), Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Papers participating in the Crustacean Symposium came from all over Indonesia, such as Maluku, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Java. The list of names and titles of KTI that passed and more detailed information can be downloaded at the following link: Crustacean National Symposium 2017 KTI Announcement. KTI that is not suitable for presentation can still be published in the proceedings after going through improvements according to the suggestions of the evaluator team. After the review and selection stage of the incoming papers, the reviewer team will still select other papers to be eligible for inclusion in the proceedings. The target of papers in the proceedings is as many as 60 latest scientific studies on crustacean fisheries resources.

Fisheries and marine resources have been identified as one of the vital natural resources to the welfare of coastal communities contributing to 2.4% of Indonesia's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in 2014 (ADB, 2014)[1], yet these resources are vulnerable to extinction due to high pressure of overutilization. One fishery commodity that has high economic value and contributes greatly to the community's economy is the crustacean fishery. In addition to having important ecological value, crustacean fisheries have also become an economic driver for more than 2 million fishermen throughout Indonesia.

To obtain the latest research results and scientific studies related to crustacean fisheries and to discuss policy recommendations and management of crustacean fisheries in Indonesia, WWF-Indonesia collaborates with the Center for Fisheries Research (PUSRISKAN) of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the National Commission for Fish Resources Assessment (KOMNASKAJISKAN), Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) and other partners to organize the 2017 Crustacean National Symposium. The paper submission process, which is divided into two batches, closed on April 30th. Seeing the high enthusiasm of the public from academics, practitioners and partners, the evaluator team has conducted an assessment of the submitted papers.
Once again, we congratulate the LOLOS presenters, and see you at the 2017 Crustacean National Symposium!

[1] Asian Development Bank (ADB). 2014. Economics of Fisheries and Aquaculture in the Coral Triangle. Philippines.