Improving fishing practices with Indonesia Fishermen’s Union/ Serikat Nelayan Indonesia

 

 

The community/organization and local perspectives on conservation and stewardship

 

Serikat Nelayan Indonesia is a union representing small-scale fisheries – fisheries on a household scale with joint family involvement in fishing activities and daily household consumption of fish.

 

We view preservation as a way in which fishing activities are carried out sustainably, without exploiting or damaging the environment with fishing techniques such as bombs, or the use of toxins such as potassium, as well as ensuring catch levels are sustainable, and so on. This ensures that fish populations remain stable and the seawater is not being polluted.

 

Stewardship experience: Sustainable fishing practices in Indonesia

 

The issue or problem being addressed

There is no public awareness of the need for sustainable fishing and conservation, and it has not become a serious concern of the government although fishers are struggling to maintain their livelihoods.

 

The activities:

With the help of local fishers, women, seniors and youth, the union worked to collect data and raise awareness on local impacts of the use of destructive fishing gear. We also work on reforestation of mangrove trees, making artificial fish habitats, etc.

 

The benefits/impacts including sustainability/environmental effects

The union promotes fish conservation and the sustainable use of aquatic resources, as a result, a lot of negative fishing practices have been reduced and fishers are enjoying increased income stability.

 

Some lessons learned or words of wisdom

Keep the spirit and continue to prevent destructive fishing gear for the sustainability of our generations of children and grandchildren. The role of a woman is to be involved in directly participating and determining her opinion.

 

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Fishery Facts

(Below are the applicable categories of fisheries, environment, species, gear type and livelihood role.)

 

Fishery characteristics:

• Marine capture fishery (e.g. nearshore/coastal/reef-based/deep sea) 

The environment where fishing takes place: 

• Coastal – Nearshore

Main species targeted:

• Marine – Small pelagics (finfish) – e.g. reef fishes/herring/mackerel/sardines
• Crustaceans (e.g. shrimp/prawn/lobster)

Gear types/ methods used:

• Catching lathe for small crab 

Role of the fishery in local livelihoods:

• Main source of employment