By: Masayu Yulien Vinanda
Jakarta (23/08)-As an effort to intensify and synergize partnership with Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) for sustainable and responsible management of marine resources, an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between WWF-Indonesia and KKP, on Monday (23/08) at KKP’s office, Central Jakarta.

Some activities will be undertaken to enhance sustainable and responsible fisheries, promote better area management practices and marine resources management, and develop researches and policies regarding fisheries. Other activities to build up public awareness toward marine and fisheries conservation through workshops and campaigns are also highlighted on this joint commitment.

CEO of WWF-Indonesia Efransjah hailed WWF-KKP collaboration. He said that the government played significant role on marine and fisheries development. He expected, the WWF-KKP’s synergy would be able to identify solutions adressing marine conservation challenges in Indonesia in order to improve the welfare of today and future generations.

“I’m very enthusiastic and optimistic that in the future there will be more and more magnificent things we may achieve. WWF will put extra efforts in facilitating, working in the fields and conducting education and campaign activities to increase public awareness toward our joint mission; sustainable marine and fisheries,” Efransjah said.

While The Ministry’s Secretary General M. Syamsul Maarif said that WWF-KKP’s partnership was one of the grand strategies for achieving The Ministry’s vision to make Indonesia as the world largest producer of marine and fish products by 2015 carrying mission on promoting the welfare of marine and fisheries community. The strategies are called as “Blue Revolution Policies.”

“I believe that the MoU will be able to address challenges on sustainable utilization and management of marine resources and fisheries. Furthermore, development in marine and fisheries sector should also focus on environmental issues. The aims for the development are now not only pro poor, pro growth and pro job, but also pro sustainability.,” he added.

WWF-Indonesia under Marine program has put targets to help government establish 700,000 hectares of new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and promote sector reform for sustainable fisheries and aquacultures particularly for tuna, groupers, sea bass, and shrimps.

WWF-Indonesia Marine Program Director Wawan Ridwan who also attended the MoU signing stated that WWF-Indonesia had contributed in helping the government achieve the ambitious target building a national network of MPAs for 20 million hectares by 2020. To date, Indonesias national MPA network covers over 10 million hectares. and WWF-Indonesia had actively contributed in the process of establishing 60 % of the area.

“WWF has helped set up 400 thousand hectares of MPAs in Alor. In 2013, we are optimistic that there will be 300 thousand of hectares more in paloh, West Kalimantan and Kei Islands in Maluku,” he emphasized.

Besides sustainable utilization and management of marine resources and fisheries inside or outside the protected areas, WWF-KKP’s partnership is also expected to strengthen The Ministry’s policies regarding food security and sustainability of fisheries products.