Author: Buguh Tri Hardianto (Capture Fisheries Assistant, WWF-Indonesia)

Reef fish is one of the most economically valuable fisheries commodities in Indonesia. Parrotfish and baronang are among the herbivorous reef fish species targeted by fishers in Indonesia. According to 2012 data from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) on Indonesia's fisheries exports, reef fish ranked as the third most sold fisheries commodity to foreign countries, after shrimp and tuna. Unfortunately, many reef fish - including parrotfish and baronang - are caught in environmentally unfriendly ways, threatening the sustainability of these reef fisheries stocks. This finding is supported by the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Decree No. 45/2011 regarding the status of reef fisheries in 11 Indonesian Fisheries Management Areas (WPPs), the majority of which are fully overexploited (over and fully exploited).

To support sustainable fisheries practices in Indonesia, WWF-Indonesia released the Better Management Practices (BMP), Small-Scale Fisheries Guide Series, Parrotfish and Baronang Catching and Handling Guidelines. This guide is one of the capture fisheries guides compiled by the WWF-Indonesia Fisheries Team and published in 2015. This BMP aims to invite and guide fishers, especially herbivorous reef fishers, in conducting fishing using more environmentally friendly practices, starting from the preparation of fishing operations; good fishing grounds in fishing operations; recommended fishing gear information; fishing techniques; fish catchable size; to handling, packaging of catches and recording of catches. In addition, this BMP also encourages the work safety of fishermen; such as the tools needed to support work safety and safe diving for health.

By practicing environmentally friendly fisheries, fishers not only preserve the available fishery resources and sustainability of their own livelihoods, but also gain economic benefits by maintaining the quality of the fish caught.

The preparation of this Parrotfish and Baronang Fisheries BMP was carried out through various stages, namely:

• Data collection from the field in the pilot locations where WWF-Indonesia works, such as Kendari and Wakatobi;
• Discussion with relevant stakeholders such as government, academics and fishermen;
• Assistance activities for reef fishers in North Bali, Luwuk and Wakatobi;
• Literature study of other research results.

This BMP is a flexible (living document), which will continue to be refined in accordance with developments in the field and input from relevant parties.