By:

• Saraswati Adityarini (Fisheries Officer, WWF-Indonesia)
• Jensi Sartin (Komodo MPA Coordinator, WWF-Indonesia)

"It can be said that West Manggarai is relatively lacking in implementing ecosystem-based fisheries management (EAFM). Every aspect in each fisheries domain requires improvement in accordance with the action plan," said Mr. Jotham at the Integrated Class of Regional Apparatus Organizations in West Manggarai.

Based on Ministerial Decree 47 of 2016 regarding the status of the level of utilization of Fish resources in fish in WPP 573 and WPP 713 (West Manggarai), most of the fisheries status is in the condition of Moderate and Over-exploited.

"Reflecting on these conditions, maintaining fisheries productivity in improving the regional economy needs to be accompanied by good fisheries management planning," continued Mr. Jotham.

"Our behavior that pays less attention to ecosystems and habitats that are home to fish by destroying corals, encroaching on mangrove areas, and garbage - will have an impact on West Manggarai fisheries stocks," he added.

In this class, participants were also given the opportunity to discuss steps to carry out a joint action plan to develop the fisheries sector. The results of the discussion recommended to form a forum or working group consisting of several cross-sectors to accommodate and deliver activity programs ranging from planning, data collection, analysis, to publication, including the EAFM assessment.

A big challenge for West Manggarai, to further realize the synergy between sectors in managing together the potential of fisheries - something that they still feel is lacking at this time.

"Coordination between the central, provincial, and district governments must be established. This is increasingly important considering the implementation of the Local Government Act which mandates the authority to manage coastal, marine and small islands to the Province" said Imam Hendri from the Directorate General of Capture Fisheries, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. The Integrated Class was also attended by representatives of the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP).

This Integrated Class of Regional Apparatus Organizations of West Manggarai is the result of cooperation between the Government of West Manggarai Regency and WWF-Indonesia which aims to harmonize and encourage sustainable development.

Participants of this class are representatives from Bappeda, Food Security and Fisheries Office, Komodo National Park Office, Environment and Hygiene Office, Public Works and Spatial Planning Office, Investment and One-Stop Integrated Licensing Service Office, Legal Section, Labuan Bajo Quarantine Area Working Unit, Trade Industry Cooperative and Small and Medium Enterprises Office, to Tourism and Culture Office.

This Integrated Class will last for 6 months, with topics ranging from marine protected areas, green development planning and budgeting, sustainable fisheries, equitable spatial planning, public participation in development, to sustainable tourism.