April 25, 2011
Jakarta, 25/04/11 - WWF, a global conservation organization, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PT Panca Mitra Multi Perdana (PT PMMP), to join SEAFOOD SAVERS to work together to improve the fishing industry through more environmentally friendly fishing and processing practices.
SEAFOOD SAVERS is a corporate dialogue and collaboration group initiated by WWF-Indonesia since October 2009, which aims to strengthen support from the industry sector to improve marine fisheries management in Indonesia. The industrial sector is one of the parties that can most influence the improvement as well as the damage to the environment and the sustainability of natural resources. PT PMMP is a fisheries company with one of its commodities being wild-caught shrimp using trammel net gear or three-layer nets caught in the waters of Berau, East Kalimantan.
"PT PMMP is the third corporate partner to sign a Memorandum of Understanding under the SEAFOOD SAVERS umbrella. We invite more fisheries producers and retailers to join the SEAFOOD SAVERS initiative so that more parties can speak out for improved fisheries management in Indonesia," said Dr. Efransjah, CEO of WWF Indonesia in his remarks.
In contrast to trawling, fishing activities using trammel net, have minimal impact on marine habitats and have less bycatch. The use of trawls to catch shrimp has been banned in most parts of Indonesia since the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 39 of 1980 on the Elimination of Trawl Nets, also known as tiger trawls or helicopter trawls. Trawling destroys the composition of the seabed while catching non-target species at a ratio of 1:10 between shrimp and other marine animals. "WWF assesses that trawling is the most effective way to catch shrimp and other marine animals.
"WWF considers trammel net, which has a catch ratio of about 3:2 for target versus non-target species, is by far a better alternative to trawling", explains Abdullah Habibi, Capture Fisheries Coordinator of WWF-Indonesia's Fisheries Program. Another alternative is environmentally friendly aquaculture; not taking seeds from nature, not consuming mangrove land, and not using chemicals as pesticides or feed. In addition to encouraging certification for marine capture fisheries products through the MSC scheme, WWF also encourages responsible aquaculture practices according to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification standards and compiles the Guidelines for Responsible Shrimp Aquaculture Practices. "The support of NGOs such as WWF-Indonesia is crucial for the development of responsible aquaculture practices.
"The support of NGOs like WWF really helps us face the market pressure that demands the availability of environmentally certified products. However, government support is the main thing we need to create more conducive fisheries conditions to achieve these environmentally friendly fisheries certification standards, "said Soesilo Soebardjo, Director of PT.Panca Mitra Multi Perdana.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parties agreed on three recommendations to be fulfilled by PT. PMMP, namely; 1) conducting socialization on catch zones based on fisheries business licenses among fishermen, 2) establishing internal policies regarding traceability systems, especially to avoid purchasing shrimp products caught using environmentally unfriendly fishing gear, and 3) providing support to activities to identify seasons and spawning locations carried out by local governments and or other institutions (NGOs, universities, research bodies). For more information, please contact us.

Together with WWF, PT PMMP targets to; 1) produce high quality and high value products according to consumer needs, also provide opportunities to develop the best workforce in line with company development, 2) encourage the creation of new employment opportunities and 3) care for community and environmental development.