By: Usmawati Anggita Sakti (Seafood Savers Communication Assistant)

This year, on October 29, 2017, Seafood Savers turns 8 years old. Since its establishment in 2009, 13 fisheries companies from both capture and aquaculture have joined the Seafood Savers program. During this year of existence in the fisheries industry in Indonesia, several significant advancements have been made.

"Congratulations and thank you to Seafood Savers who has been 8 years participating in developing sustainable fisheries in Indonesia . As a seafood lover, I will be safe and a saver with Seafood Savers." Said Dr. Artati Widiarti, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Directorate of Quality and Diversification of Fishery Products.

The crystallization of the hard work of all stakeholders in the program began to appear this year with the success of one of the Seafood Savers members to obtain ASC ecolabel certification last August. The certification signifies that WWF-Indonesia's scheme for sustainable fisheries is able to accommodate and support the needs of business actors while simultaneously making environmental conservation efforts. In addition, this success will encourage other industry players to get involved in the Seafood Savers program.

In addition to members, Seafood Savers also seeks to embrace other stakeholders who play a role in fisheries improvement efforts through several activities. These include workshops, talk shows and campaigns supported by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), the Department of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (DKP) and the community as consumers of seafood. An endorsement was given by KKP to Seafood Savers during the anniversary of Seafood Savers.

Campaign: Sustainable Seafood For A Healthy Living

In October 2017, a talk show with the theme "Sustainable Seafood For A Healthy Living" was held with speakers from DKP East Java Province, WWF and 2 Seafood Savers members targeting hotels and supermarkets in Surabaya. In addition to the campaign, Seafood Savers also initiated campaigns in several supermarkets and malls in Surabaya, Yogyakarta and Jakarta. Activities include providing education about Seafood Savers' program related to sustainable fisheries and how seafood consumers can get involved in fisheries improvement programs in Indonesia.

The Seafood Savers program has continued to progress over the past year. One of them is the achievement of ASC certification for one of Seafood Savers members. This certainly deserves support from various stakeholders to achieve sustainable fisheries in Indonesia. Both fisheries industry players, government and seafood consumers are expected to strengthen this synergy. T Apart from that, Seafood Savers hopes that in the future more and more fisheries businesses will join. Especially hotels, restaurants and supermarkets that sell seafood. As more and more people commit to this scheme and join the campaign, the progress of spreading information about sustainable fisheries can reach consumers faster and wider. Let's move forward together by being smart consumers and responsible producers! #WeChooseToSave.

As one of the marine resource conservation platforms in Indonesia, Seafood Savers continues to prioritize the principle of sustainable fisheries to its fostered partners. The fisheries industry players who are members of Seafood Savers carry out fisheries improvement activities under the assistance of WWF-Indonesia towards Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) ecolabel certification.