Jakarta (22/06) - WWF, the global conservation organization, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT. Arta Mina Tama (PT.AMT), to jointly accelerate better fishing industry through the improvement of sustainable fishing and fish processing practices in a business to business joint program, SEAFOOD SAVERS.
SEAFOOD Savers is a dialogue and cooperation between corporations, initiated by WWF-Indonesia ince October 2009, which aims at strengthening support for the industry sector in improving the management of marine fisheries in Indonesia. SEAFOOD Savers refers to the MSC fishery eco label (Marine Stewardship Council) and ASC fisheries (aquaculture Stewardship Council) for aquaculture in order to improve the management of marine fisheries.“
""Through SEAFOOD Savers, WWF encourages more companies to achieve MSC and ASC certification. WWF believes that the fuffillment of those standards will enable to support the improvement of fishery industry in Indonesia""said Dr. Efransjah, CEO of WWF-Indonesia in his remark.
For capture fishery, evaluation and MSC standard are built on three basic principles, which are, the sustainability of fish stock in the sea, the impact of fishing activities on ecosystems and fisheries management. A fishery company is categorized as “sustainable” if its fishing activities do not harm the populations of fish in the sea, have a minimum impact on ecosystems, and employ effective and reliable fisheries management.
As one of the largest tuna producer in the world, Indonesia is currently facing serious problems. Most tuna species have declined, both its stock or its population in the sea. Meanwhile its fishing activities which are mainly operated by longline fishermen have resulted in the increased bycatch. Other problem which might occur is the poor tuna management at national level which has not been able to ensure the sustainability of the species in nature. The lack of information regarding catchment data, as well as fishing season and spawning location, have not been well identified. This causes the protection effort toward fish resource sustainability and fisheries industry even more challenging.
“We need these data to arrange sustainable fisheries management plan. Currently,WWF, with the participation of relevant stakeholders, are working on integrated fisheries management using (Ecosystem Approach Fisheries Management/EAFM)management/EAFM) which can ensure long-term utilization, as well as the protection of fish stocks in the sea, “said WWF-Indonesia Capture Fisheries Coordinator, Abdullah Habibie.
""MSC is quite new for us. However, after going through the process through SEAFOOD Savers program, we realized that this was something that is needed to ensure the survival of fish resources for the future,"" Mr. Gunawan; the owner and director of PT. Arta Mina Tama; responsed to the achievement of MSC certification process which he has been striving to achieve.
Memorandum of understanding signed by both parties agreed on the two recommendations that must be implemented by PT. Arta Mina Tama,: 1) to support the activities regarding identification of the spawning location and season which are conducted by local government, NGOs,or universities, and 2) to develop system and communication tools to disseminate information and knowledge to the employees regarding sustainable fisheries and prevent IUU-fishing.

***For more Information:

• Margareth Meutia, Corporate Campaigner for Marine Program WWF-Indonesia, +628158812844, MMeutia@wwf.or.id
• Imam Musthofa Zainuddin, National Fisheries Program Coordinator WWF-Indonesia, +628123853921, IMusthofa@wwf.or.id

Note to Editors:

• About SEAFOOD SAVERS
  Seafood Savers is a WWF-Indonesia initiative to establish a corporate group consists of producers, exporters, importers and retailers involved in marine resources trade and exploitations and financial institutions which are placing investments in the marine resources business. Currently there are seven companies involved in the marine fisheries products business that have shown their interests to join in SEAFOOD SAVERS. With supports from WWF in Indonesia, in the regional and the international network, This group will conduct an overall campaign on marine and fisheries issues. It is expected that the group will inspire more business practitioners to join the initiative to encourage sustainable fisheries practices for the sake of keeping the marine ecosystem and resources sustainability. Companies willing to join in SEAFOOD SAVERS will be required to go through eight steps of membership process before becoming an official member of SEAFOOD SAVERS. Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding id the fourth step in which a company agreed to recommendations proposed by WWF in order for the company to fulfill the minimum requirements of sustainable fisheries.
• About WWF-Indonesia
  WWF-Indonesia is an independent member of WWF, the global conservation organization, a network of WWF organizations and affiliates operating in close to 100 countries worldwide. It is an independent foundation registered under Indonesian law. In carrying out its conservation work, WWF-Indonesia has 25 project offices in 17 provinces. This organization works with local governments through practical field projects, scientific research, advising local governments on environmental policy, promoting environmental education, empowering communities, and raising awareness on environmental issues. More info about WWF-Indonesia, visit www.panda.org; or our local sites www.wwf.or.id and WWF-Indonesia supporter website in www.supporterwwf.org
• About PT. Arta Mina Tama
  Headquartered in North Jakarta, PT.Arta Mina Tama (AMT) is a leading exporter of seafood products which exports its products to the United States. Responding to the buyers’ demand who are only willing to buy MSC-labeled seafood products, PT.AMT has partnered with WWF-Indonesia and agreed to join SEAFOOD Savers Program. PT. Arta Mina Tama has been through the process of Due Diligence assessment and identification. Based on the assessment, PT. AMT is ”worthy” to partner with WWF-Indonesia has met the fulfillment of minimum requirements of sustainable fisheries. A number of recommendations are required to be met by PT.AMT after signing a Memorandum of Understanding. With the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, PT.AMT has formally agreed on therecommendations to meet the minimum requirements of sustainable fisheries. In cooperation with WWF, PT.AMT has vision to grow and continuously develop itself toward fisheries industry in Indonesia. PT.AMT tries to achieve its vision by participating in sustainable fisheries program such as SEAFOOD SAVERS.