SERVICE OUTLETS: HELP EASE THE ACTIVITIES OF WEST MANGGARAI FISHERMEN
In an effort to support sustainable fisheries management, WWF Indonesia Foundation through the Sustainable Livelihood approach, supports the government of West Manggarai Regency in its implementation in coastal villages. Based on the identification results carried out in these coastal villages, there are still many fishermen who do not have vessel legality documents, such as the Small Pass and Fishery Vessel Registration Certificate (TDKP).
Pasir Putih Village, Messah Island, for example, out of 200 fishermen who own boats, only 56 of them have complete and valid documents. So far, fishermen in coastal villages located far from Labuan Bajo face the obstacle of long distance travel, so the costs incurred to buy fuel are not small to just go from the island to Labuan Bajo. Not only that, the location of making legal documents is not centralized and the lack of information owned by fishermen is another obstacle that makes it difficult for fishermen to make ship documents. With these conditions, the WWF Indonesia Foundation together with related institutions held a 'Fishermen Ship Legality Service Counter' in Labuan Bajo.
The Fishermen Ship Legality Service Outlet was created as an effort to facilitate fishermen who have small-sized vessels or equivalent to the volume of vessels under 7 GT (Gross Tonnage) in completing the required ship legality, so that fishermen no longer need to spend a long time to take care of ship documents. The Fishermen Vessel Legality Service Outlet is a "one stop services", where fishermen can make and extend the Small Pass, make a fishing vessel registration mark, and business identification number, as well as other documents needed for fishing operations at the same location, namely the Fisheries Command Post located at the Labuan Bajo Fish Auction Site (TPI).
The Fishing Vessel Legality Service Outlet was held on Friday, August 25, 2023. This activity is a collaboration of various related parties, namely the Labuan Bajo Class III Syahbandar and Port Authority Office (KSOP), the West Manggarai Regency Food Security and Fisheries Office, the West Manggarai Regency Transportation Office, the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Office, and the Fishermen Association in West Manggarai Regency.
On the occasion, the Vice Regent of West Manggarai, Dr. Yulianus Weng, M.Kes., said, "Currently, many fishermen in West Manggarai Regency still do not have vessel legality documents. This Ship Legality Service Counter is a form of government concern in providing services to the community, especially fishermen, to make it easier for fishermen to obtain legality documents in accordance with applicable laws and regulations". In addition, the Head of KSOP Class III Labuan Bajo, Stephanus Risdiyanto, also emphasized, "KSOP is ready to support to be able to carry out this service regularly every month".
The hope is that after all fishing boat legality documents are fulfilled, fishermen can carry out activities while maintaining marine sustainability and using environmentally friendly fishing gear, as well as making it easier for fishermen to get access to subsidized fuel and other assistance. Completeness of legality is needed as an effort to maintain coastal and marine ecosystems as well as the prevention and control of Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated (IUU) Fishing which is a major threat to fisheries resources and is expected to improve the community's economy.