Jakarta (24/10) – WWF Indonesia highly appreciate Indonesia government’s bold step to join as member of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). The entry was facilitated by the Directorate of Fisheries Resources of Capture Fisheries Directorate General, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. This membership adds to the list of Indonesia’s membership in Regional Fisheries Management Organizations that covers Indonesian waters, which are the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, Commission on Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna and Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.

Dr. Gellwyn Yusuf, the Director General for Capture Fisheries of Indonesia Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries explain, “By gaining membership in WCPFC, Indonesia possess a better bargaining position in the management and utilization of tuna fisheries for the country’s economy. However, on the other side, this membership poses a challenge for Indonesia to increase its capacities and governance in fisheries management.” According to Yusuf, Indonesia’s status as WCPFC member is crucial, considering Indonesian waters as a nutrient-rich area and as the feeding as well as nursery grounds for various tuna species.

Tuna is the second highest exported fisheries product from Indonesia, following shrimp. Tuna is exported in forms of canning products, fresh, and frozen to Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines, Jordan, Egypt, Unites States of America, and European Union.

""Indonesia has had an active involvement in WCPFC for quite a while. By becoming a member, Indonesia will strengthen its involvement and contributions in fisheries management at regional level”, said WCPFC Executive Director, Professor Glenn Hurry.

Indonesia’s entrance in WCPFC membership was conducted during the Dissemination of Indonesia Membership Status in WCPFC held in Jakarta on 22-24 October 2013. The event was participated by more or less 50 invitees from various stakeholders related to management and utilization of Indonesia’s tuna fisheries, such as the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesian Maritime Security Coordinating Board, Indonesia Tuna Association, Indonesia Tuna Longline Association, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), WCPFC and WWF Indonesia.

Dr Toni Ruchimat, Director for Fisheries Resources of Indonesia Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries exclaim that “Indonesia understands the importance of tuna fisheries management to ensure sustainability of tuna stocks. Therefore we have prepared a tuna fisheries management plan that is align with the resolution and management indicators from the three RFMOs.”

The currently developed tuna fisheries management plan will be used as the umbrella for various utilization plans, research and cooperation. “This Tuna Fisheries Management Plan should be supported by all relevant stakeholders”, Ruchimat continues. Collaboration between all countries and institutions working in tuna fisheries became very important, considering the species migrates and utilize not just in Indonesia, but also to the rest of Western Pacific region.

""WWF is committed to support research activities and management of tuna fisheries in Indonesia through collaboration with the General Directorate of Capture Fisheries and Marine and Fisheries Research and Development Body of Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries”, stated by Wawan Ridwan, Director of Coral Triangle, WWF-Indonesia. This national level support complements the initiative conducted by WWF and FAO at the international level through sustainable and efficient resource management and biodiversity conservation for tuna fisheries in regions beyond national jurisdiction (Global Environment Facility through Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction Program/GEF-ABNJ).

Tuna fisheries management is important to ensure sustainability of natural resources in marine sector. International Sustainable Seafood Foundation (ISSF), independent institutions consists of scientists, NGOs and tuna fisheries industry have stated tuna stocks in western pacific region managed by WCPFC as over exploited for Big Eye Tuna, fully exploited for Yellowfin Tuna and moderately exploited for Skipjack Tuna.

As member of fisheries commission in WCPFC, Indonesia will gain support in scientific information to create better fisheries management.

For more info, please kindly contact:
Imam Musthofa, Fisheries Manager, WWF Indonesia
Email: imusthofa@wwf.or.id, Mobile: +628123853921

Wawan Ridwan, Director Coral Triangle Program, WWF Indonesia
Email: wridwan@wwf.or.id, Mobile: +62 87770164365

Dewi Satriani, Communication Manager Marine & Marine Species Program, WWF Indonesia
Email: dsatriani@wwf.or.id, Mobile: +62811910970

Note for Editor:

• PHOTOS from the event can be accessed from http://bit.ly/1fWOejs with WWF-Indonesia copyright when used in publications.
• PHOTOS of catching tuna using hook/line, can be accessed from http://bit.ly/17gCaXM with WWF-Indonesia copyright when used in publications. 
• Indonesia have been involved in discussions on establishments of Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission/WCPFC since 2000. Starting on 2004, Indonesia play an active role in the regional fisheries management organization as Cooperating Non Member (CNM). Indonesia became official member of WCPFS through the signing of President Regulation Number 61 Year 2013 on August 28, 2013 on Convention Legitimation of Conservation and Management of Migratory Fish Stocks in Western and Central Pacific Ocean