This program will be started at the end of 2018 for 3,887 fishing vessels over 30 GT, whereas in 2019 it will include 10,984 fishing vessels over 10 GT, Director General of Capture Fisheries of the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry Zulfichar Mochtar said in the Sustainable Fisheries Panel of the fifth Our Ocean Conference (OOC) here on Tuesday.
The total budget needed to implement the e-logbook is US$442,863 (Rp6.2 billion) for the two years, he said.
The program will be implemented in collaboration with fishing port authorities, harbormasters, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
He said the program is aimed at improving the quality and quantity of data as a foundation for making strong policy in fisheries management, strengthening the traceability system for Indonesian fisheries products, promoting fishers` compliance, and preventing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in general.
In addition, Indonesia also announced its commitment to expand the assignment coverage of observer aboard fishing vessels operating in the country`s 11 Fisheries Management Areas and High Seas starting in 2019.
He said this program will include 100 observers, 350 fishing vessels, and 300.000 observation days with the budget of USD846,429 (Rp11.85 billion) for 2019.
The program will be conducted in collaboration with fishing port authorities, harbormasters, and the Indonesian Fisheries Associations.
This program is aimed at promoting Indonesia`s compliance to Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), improving the quality and quantity of data as a foundation for making strong policy in fisheries management, strengthening the traceability system for Indonesia fisheries products, promoting fisher compliance, preventing IUU fishing, and mitigating the impact on Ecologically Related Species (ERS).
He said Indonesia also unveiled its commitment to certify 1200 export-oriented fishing vessels with Good Fish Handling Practice (CPIB) in 538 fishing ports in the country.
This program will be conducted from 2019 to 2021. Each year the program will target 400 fishing vessels, with budget allocations amounting to US$85,714 (Rp1.2 billion) a year, he said.
He said the program will be done in cooperation with fishing port authorities, harbormasters, fisheries inspectors, Offices of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Directorate of Fishing Vessels and Fishing Gears, and the Fish Quarantine and Inspection Agency (BKIPM).
The program is aimed at ensuring the implementation of system of quality assurance and safety of Indonesia fisheries products, he said.
Reporter: Suharto
Editor: Yosep Hariyadi
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