By Novita Eka Syaputri

Competency Standards for Special Works (Standar Kompetensi Kerja Khusus/SK3) of Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) was developed in Jakarta, on March 17, 2014. Development of the Standards is one of the milestones in Indonesian fisheries to move towards sustainable and responsible fisheries management. Ministerial Decree will then be issued to require the use of EAFM SK3 since the application of ecosystem approach to fisheries management is mandatory based on Fisheries Act to achieve sustainable fisheries management in Indonesia.

The Head of Marine and Fisheries Human Resources Development Agency (Badan Pengembangan Sumber Daya Manusia Kelautan dan Perikanan/BPSDM-KP), Dr Suseno, officially opened the event. Around 90 people attended the EAFM SK3 enactment event, with many representatives from fisheries management all across the nation. Opening the event, The Head of BPSDM-KP said that Indonesia was the only country developing EAFM competency standards. Imam Musthofa Zainudin, Fisheries Program Leader of WWF-Indonesia the added, “EAFM SK3 hopefully can be a frame of reference within Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.”

The institutions and organizations took part in the event comprised: Marine and Fisheries Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM-KP), Directorates within Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration, Professional Certification Institute (LSP), fishery companies and associations, universities, and NGOs divided into verifier and formulator teams. Both NGO teams discussed and developed the EAFM SK3.

WWF-Indonesia along with other stakeholders as the members of National Working Group 2 on EAFM lead by Directorate of Fish Resources (SDI), Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has developed several fisheries management indicators by applying ecosystem approach since 2010, and the discussion and redrafting of EAFM competency standards have begun since February last year.

After being incorporated into Ministerial Decree, EAFM competency standards will serve as a frame of reference to every training and education within KKP, Fisheries Offices (DKP) at Provincial and District level, and other relevant institutions. EAFM competency standards (EAFM SK3) will also attempt to capture various dimensions that account for competent performance and relate to career path within the given organizations.
EAFM is comprised of 29 competency units for 3 occupations, i.e. planner, implementer, and evaluator. 

Through the enactment of EAFM competency standards, it is hoped that comprehensive approach can be applied to fisheries management through the competency standards. EAFM is an approach to fisheries management and development that strives to balance diverse societal objectives, by taking into account the knowledge and uncertainties about biotic, abiotic, and human components of ecosystems and their interactions and applying an integrated approach to fisheries within ecologically meaningful boundaries. Indicators are also used in the implementation of EAFM in Indonesia as a monitoring and evaluation tool, measuring to what extent that ecosystem-based principles have been applied to the existing fisheries management.