The WWF Indonesia Foundation and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries held the 28th IOTC (Indian Ocean Tuna Commission) Annual Meeting Results Dissemination online on August 22, 2024. This dissemination aims to support the dissemination of information regarding the achievements and plans of the Indonesian government at the 28th IOTC annual meeting in Bangkok on May 13-17, 2024. This dissemination activity was attended by 242 participants consisting of academics, fishermen groups, companies, local to central government, and various other related parties.

This dissemination presents in detail the latest 5 provisions/resolutions of 11 valid proposals adopted from the results of the 28th IOTC annual meeting in Bangkok by Mr. Hary Christijanto API, MSc, Mrs. Mumpuni C. Pratiwi MS, and Dr. Yayan Hernuryadin. In addition, Mr. Satya Mardi Spi also explained ship registration to RFMOs.

Indonesia has abundant fisheries potential, one of which is tuna fisheries. Based on data from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, tuna exports in 2023 reached 927.13 million dollars. With such a large export value, Indonesia was once faced with a threatened condition in the international market and could not catch tuna if it did not become a member of RFMOs (Regional Fisheries Management Organizations).Through the ratification of the IOTC Agreement (Indian Ocean Tuna Commission) through Perpres. No. 9/2007 Indonesia became a full member of IOTC on March 5, 2007, a manifestation of Indonesia's commitment as one of the largest tuna-producing countries in civilized regional and/or international tuna management.

In his speech, the Director of Marine and Fisheries program of WWF- Indonesia, Dr. Imam Mustofa Zainudin, expressed his appreciation for the success of the Indonesian government's contribution related to sustainable tuna fisheries in international forums. "WWF Indonesia Foundation supports the efforts of the Indonesian government in socializing important information related to this regional management. Hopefully, this information can be utilized by fishermen, companies, governments, and NGOs in contributing to sustainable tuna fisheries management."

In the introduction of the dissemination activity presented by Putuh Suadela, S.Pi, MESM as the Head of the PSDI EEZ & High Seas Working Team, it was stated that Indonesia managed to record a compliance rate that continued to increase from 80% to 82.6% in 2023. This value confirms Indonesia's readiness for quality marine resource management by completing information on vessels registered with IOTC, reporting standards for catch and effort data and size frequency data, as well as nominal catch for longline fisheries and shark data.

In addition to the increased compliance rate, Indonesia is also included in the top 10 contributing member states and the increase in contribution for Indonesia in 2025 is 7%. This increase is influenced by Indonesia's GNI contribution and an increase in Indonesia's average tuna catch from 2020-2022.

Indonesia also contributed to pushing for an agreement to adopt the proposal of drifting fish aggregating devices (dFADs) or Resolution 24/01 through a vote that was approved by 22 out of 27 members at the annual meeting. Explanations include Resolution 24/01 on the Management of Drifting FADs (dFADs) as well as Resolution 23/01 on the Management of Anchored FADs(AFADS).

The on-board monitoring program (Resolution 24/04) and the transshipment program on large-scale vessels (24/05) will continue to be a big and tough job for Indonesia, especially Indonesia's Pilot project related to transshipment at sea which will end in 2025, where Indonesia must be able to go through adequate reporting and assessment, to be reported at the 29th IOTC Commission meeting next year.

Next, noteworthy is the Registration of Vessels to RFMOs (Regional Fisheries Management Organizations). This regulation governs the regional and national registration of vessels fishing for tuna or tuna-like species. Other discussions also included the resolution on the handling and impact of IUUF (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregistered Fishing) in the IOTC area. This resolution regulates the reporting procedures to the commission regarding vessels involved in IUU fishing activities, especially concerning interstate interests.

"This regulation is expected to suppress cases of massive fish theft occurring in our territory by foreign countries. All countries are committed to this resolution," said Mumpuni Cyntia Pratiwi, Junior Expert from the Directorate General of Capture Fisheries-KKP.

For the future, the Indonesian government will ensure the smooth running and completion of Indonesia's pilot project related to cargo transfer at sea which will end in 2025 through standardized reporting and assessment to be presented at the 29th IOTC commission session the following year. And continue to invite stakeholder participation and support in participating in the IOTC annual meeting to strengthen Indonesia's position in tuna fisheries management in the Indian Ocean.