Author: Wahyu Teguh Prawira (Bycatch Hook and Line Officer)

Circle Hook Information Center (CHIC), which has been established since 2007, is a joint facility that provides information on bycatch mitigation technology of Endangered, Threatened and Protected (ETP) species in tuna longline fisheries, especially sea turtles. It has a collection of various sizes and types of circle hook used in the longline tuna fishery to avoid catching protected and endangered marine animals. In the longline tuna fishery, captains are encouraged to use the circle hook in place of the J hook. This tool is effective in preventing turtle bycatch without reducing tuna catch because it is designed so that the hook cannot be swallowed by turtles.
The high issue of bycatch of protected marine animals in tuna fisheries and the absence of a learning center as a place to exchange information on bycatch mitigation technology became the main basis for the establishment of CHIC. During the period of 2007-2015, CHIC, which is located at the Benoa branch of PT Perikanan Nusantara, Bali, has played an important role as a gathering place for fishermen (including crew members, captains, etc.), businessmen, and other stakeholders. Together, they channeled their aspirations, discussed, exchanged information, and determined strategies to mitigate ETP bycatch and collect data on Benoa-based longline tuna fisheries.

On February 19, 2016, together with 34 potential stakeholders in Benoa Harbor, the Head of the Tuna Fisheries Research Institute (LPPT) finally inaugurated the new CHIC room which is currently located in the same office as LPPT Benoa, Bali.

"For the future, it is hoped that WWF-Indonesia and LPPT can be more solid in efforts to improve fisheries data through on-board observers and enumerators, as well as synergize in efforts to mitigate and handle bycatch ETP on board. We hope that WWF-Indonesia can provide training on handling bycatch ETP on board to our on-board observers." said Head of LPPT Budi Nugraha at the inauguration of the new CHIC location.

There are many activities that have been running after the establishment of CHIC, such as training on handling bycatch to fishermen, both at CHIC and on the boat, as well as socialization on the use of circle hook. Through the inauguration of CHIC's new room yesterday, there are at least six captains of tuna longline fishing vessels who are ready to use the circle hook on their next fishing trip. With the spirit of preserving fisheries resources in a sustainable manner, the synergy between WWF-Indonesia and the Tuna Fisheries Research Institute through CHIC is expected to continue to develop into a place of inspiration for fishermen and a service center for information on technology mitigation of bycatch on tuna longline fishing gear for now and the future.