By Novita Eka Syaputri

Indonesia has large marine and fisheries resources, but the number of existing extension workers is still very minimal and not proportional to the potential fisheries areas of Indonesia. In fact, fisheries extension workers are the spearhead and frontline who often face fishermen in socializing sustainable fisheries practices.

Therefore, WWF-Indonesia in collaboration with the Extension Center of the Maritime and Fisheries Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM KP) initiated a training of trainers (TOT) for national fisheries extension workers held for four days (June 13 - 16, 2014) in Bandung with National Extension Workers and Skilled / Maintained Extension Workers as participants.

Head of Marine Fisheries Extension Center (Kapusluh KP) Ir. Rina, M.Si in his speech expressed his gratitude to WWF-Indonesia and all parties involved so that this TOT can be implemented. She also hoped that the extension workers can follow the TOT as well as possible and take advantage of the opportunity to increase knowledge about sustainable fisheries. Furthermore, the cooperation between Pusluh and WWF-Indonesia will continue for the effectiveness of fisheries programs in Indonesia.

"This TOT is a follow-up to WWF-Indonesia's MoU with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, where one of them is to conduct more concrete cooperation with Pusluh KP." explained WWF-Indonesia's Coral Triangle Director, Wawan Ridwan, who also opened this activity.

The training materials provided such as the principles of conservation and sustainable fisheries management, Better Management Practices for Fisheries, and fisheries ecolabeling were quite interesting for participants, especially when simulating sustainable fisheries through games and practices of handling sea turtle bycatch with de hooker. Many participants volunteered to practice and be active in the activities. Mr. Yoelan, a participant from Sorong, Papua, said that he was very happy to attend the training for fisheries extension trainers and hoped that the materials obtained could be shared with fellow extension workers and related stakeholders. Not only that, Mr. Agus Dermawan, Director of Conservation of Fish Areas and Species (Dir. KKJI) was also interested in the conservation material provided in this TOT for sustainable fisheries extension workers. He also shared his experiences and stories about the importance of conservation.

With this activity, it is hoped that fisheries extension workers in Indonesia have knowledge and understanding of conservation and sustainable fisheries that are applied in their counseling materials and can provide training to other extension workers on conservation and sustainable fisheries. In the near future, there will also be a national extension network that can work together with WWF-Indonesia at the extension site.