By: Faridz R. Fachri (Fisheries Business Officer, WWF-Indonesia)

It was an interesting thing when all members of the Cahaya Joint Business Group (KUB) together with several fishermen, collectors, academics, and the Southeast Maluku Regional Government, met in a series of activities "Training for Improving Fisheries Entrepreneurship and Provision of Sustainable Environmentally Friendly Raw Materials", on November 23, 2015 at the PAUD Hall Building, Langgur, Southeast Maluku Regency.

This activity aimed to bring together KUB Cahaya with raw material providers, namely mackerel fishermen, fish collectors, and Kotoni seaweed cultivators. In addition, training was also held to improve business management; finance; business motivation; and agreement on the use of fishery raw materials derived from environmentally friendly practices, as one of the steps to trace the origin of raw materials (tracebility), starting from the location of the catch or cultivation, the fishing gear used, the cultivation process carried out, as well as who did it.

The training process was very effective. Participants were seen actively discussing and listening to all training materials. The discussion atmosphere became lively when the stakeholders discussed sustainable fisheries practices. Each of the stakeholders gave their opinions related to fisheries that are carried out in an irresponsible manner such as the use of bombs. Many of the participants, both from the government as well as fishermen and collectors, were very upset with this fishery practice.

To follow up on this issue, all participants agreed not to support and buy bombed fish and discussed the characteristics of bomb-caught fish together. These characteristics include a series of destroyed vertebrae, a paler and faded color, and a bland taste when cooked.

In addition to discussing issues and finding solutions related to irresponsible fishing practices, the participants also hoped that in the future there will be community groups like KUB Cahaya, which can integrate conservation values with socio-economic aspects in running their business. At the end of the event, all participants stood up and clenched their fists together while shouting "Sayang Anak, Sayang Karang!", as evidence of supporting sustainable fisheries management.

Hopefully the spirit established from this activity can always be embedded and strengthen the commitment of the training participants in sustainable fisheries management efforts that support the protection of the Small Island Park (TPK) conservation area Kei Kecil, Southeast Maluku Regency.

The training was attended by all light KUB members from 3 villages Ohoi Ohoidertutu, Ohoi Ohoira, and Ohoi Ngilngof; fishermen from Ohoi Selayar; fish collectors from Ohoi Ngursit and Ohoi Dunwahan; seaweed farmers and fishermen from Ohoi Ohoililir; Southeast Maluku Cooperatives and SMEs Office; Southeast Maluku Industry and Trade Office; Southeast Maluku Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office; and several representatives from the Southeast Maluku Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Extension Agency (BP4K).