Sharif said, the importance of optimization to utilize sustainable marine and fishery resources and maintain its sustainability. It is because the marine and fishery resources management which intimately related to people's livelihood and food resilience.
To that end, MMAF makes efforts to increase marine and fisheries resources productivity through industrialization together with commodity development strategy and market-based marine and fisheries products, production centers area development, connectivity development, business and investment climate development, technology and human resources development as well as management system structuring. This policy has adopted to accelerate marine and fisheries-based economic development, which will ultimately support the achievement of blue economy.
As it is known, bilateral cooperation has been implemented through Indonesia Marine and Climate Support (IMACS) program which is a grant aid from USA through USAID. Along with it, several progress has been achieved by IMACS program in the framework of institutional strengthening, sustainable fisheries management and climate change adaptation which has given positive contribution to human resources of marine and fisheries capacity building.
Sharif expressed his expectation through IMACS program to strengthen MMAF resources capacity in policy formulation, accelerate MMAF capability in both center or regional level in the implementation of Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management, improve the license system implementation and effective law enforcement, as well as enhance the community resilience to adapt with climate change hazards and natural disaster.
In addition, bilateral cooperation between RI and US in marine and fisheries development is implemented through the cooperation between MMAF and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This cooperation is focused to strenghten capacity in order to combat the IUU Fishing, improve Port State Measure, strengthen the capacity of Ministry of Marine and Fisheries through training, and strengthen the cooperation in Sea Grant Partnership.
Then, it proceed by the cooperation for deep sea exploration which implemented through Indonesia Exploration'Sangihe Talaud Region (INDEX SATAL 2010). INDEX SATAL program is a deep sea exploration cooperation in Sulawesi Sea which is one of the best joint exploration held by both countries. According to him, this cooperation is very important related to lack of Indonesian capability in mastering the technology so it will be better to collaborate and learn from other parties. The bilateral cooperation can be a foundation for both countries to continue cooperation for closer partnership in marine technology sector and deep-sea exploration. On that basis, Sharif believes that this cooperation can continue and provide greater benefits for marine science and technology on the international world stage.
Sharif is optimistic with such cooperation as it gets support from the Ministry of Research and Technology which is affirmed through the framework of Joint Commission Meeting of RI and US in the field of Science and Technology in research and marine technology sectors. In addition, on May 14, 2012 it will held the meeting of JCM RI-US of Science and Technology in Jakarta then proposed to establish three working groups, including Working Group on Marine and Biodiversity Research which will be led directly by the MMAF.
For more information, please contact Indra Sakti, SE, MM, Head of Data, Statistic and Information Center, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (Mobile: 0818159705)
Reporter: Okta
Editor: PR Wire
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
