The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), through the Directorate General of Capture Fisheries (DJPT), held the final workshop for the formulation of the National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries or NPOA-SSF (RAN PPSK). Supported by funding from GEF 6 CFI Indonesia, the workshop aimed to gather input from various stakeholders to ensure that the RAN PPSK document truly represents all sectors of society.

The hybrid workshop, held in Jakarta on October 15–17, was attended by more than 100 participants from government agencies, academia, NGOs, and international partners such as WWF and GEF Agency. Senior officials from MMAF were also present, including DJPT Secretary Ridwan Mulyana, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Moh Abdi Suhufan, and Special Staff for Monitoring TB Ardi Januar.

The Final Stage Workshop for the Preparation of the National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (RAN PPSK) was held in a hybrid format and attended by more than 100 participants, including the Secretary of DJPT Ridwan Mulyana, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Moh Abdi Suhufan, and Special Staff for Monitoring TB Ardi Januar. This activity was facilitated through a GEF-6 CFI Indonesia grant, Jakarta (October 15–17, 2025).

MMAF's Commitment: From Regulation to Real Implementation

In his remarks, the Secretary of the Directorate General of Capture Fisheries, Ridwan Mulyana, emphasized the importance of RAN PPSK as a national operational framework that refers to global standards. He stated:

“FAO released the SSF Guidelines in 2014, and Indonesia adopted them from the beginning. We have even had a draft of the RAN SSF since 2015, although it has not yet been approved. However, its principles have already been implemented. Now, with the latest developments, finalizing and disseminating this RAN is essential to ensure that these international guidelines have a strong legal foundation at the national level.”

Ridwan also hopes that this document will not remain just a discourse, but can truly be implemented by various institutions.

“I hope that the formulation of the RAN PPSK will be more implementation-oriented since it involves other institutions and directorates,” he said.

The Senior Advisor to the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries for Fisher and Crew Protection, Moh Abdi Suhufan, reminded that small-scale fishermen face various challenges within the context of national and global policies.

“The country already has Law No. 7 of 2016 on Fisher Protection, but in the global context, our national policies sometimes face contradictions, such as during WTO meetings that do not support Indonesia’s protection efforts,” he explained.

He also compared Indonesia’s fisheries characteristics with those of other countries:

“In China, most fishing vessels are large and operate globally. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the majority are small-scale fishers who need state protection. This year, the construction of modern fishing vessels has begun, and next year it will be expanded through the development of a thousand Merah Putih fishing villages. This is a swift step taken by the government on the ground, alongside the ongoing improvement of regulations.”

The Special Staff for Policy and Priority Program Monitoring and Control, TB Ardi Januar, along with the Senior Advisor to the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries for Fisher and Crew Protection, Moh Abdi Suhufan, delivered remarks at the Final Workshop for the Preparation of the National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (RAN PPSK). Subsequently, the event was officially opened by the Secretary of DJPT, Ridwan Mulyana, in Jakarta (October 15, 2025).

Meanwhile, Special Staff for Policy and Priority Program Monitoring and Control, TB Ardi Januar emphasized President Prabowo’s strong support for the marine and fisheries sector.

“The President has high expectations for the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, covering capture fisheries, aquaculture, fishers’ welfare, as well as the marine ecosystems and their supervision. This is reflected in the national salt self-sufficiency target for 2027, as well as programs such as the development of 1,000 Merah Putih Fishermen Villages, vessel modernization, the establishment of polytechnic schools, and the construction of public housing,” he explained.

Ardi also highlighted that the economic potential of the marine sector has not yet been fully optimized:

“The non-tax state revenue (PNBP) from the marine and fisheries sector is currently only around 1 trillion rupiah, even though the national catch reaches 7 million tons. If small-scale fishermen catch around 4 million tons that are not subject to state revenue charges, then the remaining 3 million tons should be able to generate up to about 3 trillion rupiah. This shows that there is still a lot of potential that can be maximized.”

Why Small-Scale Fishers Must Be Prioritized?

Small-scale fishers in Indonesia are the backbone of the national fisheries sector. Recent data shows that approximately 80% of fishery production comes from small-scale fishers, who operate boats under 10 GT. After the issuance of the latest regulation (Government Regulation No. 28 of 2025), boats up to 5 GT are now also classified as small-scale. Currently, this group accounts for about 75% of all fishers in the country.

They are not just ordinary economic actors. Small-scale fishers are at the forefront of maintaining marine-based food security, providing an essential source of animal protein for Indonesian communities. However, behind this important role, they face many challenges: limited access to capital, technology, markets, and legal and social protection. Additionally, climate change and environmental pressures are making their situation even more difficult.

Globally, overfishing and by-catch remain serious concerns. Without responsible management, marine resources could decline significantly in the coming decades. As the world’s largest archipelagic nation, Indonesia must respond with integrated and sustainable strategies.

Main Strategy: Ecosystem-Based and Inclusive Approach

The core approach of RAN PPSK is the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM). This approach does not view fish merely as commodities, but manages fisheries by considering ecological, social, economic, and cultural balance. Decision-making is based not only on catch volume, but also on ecosystem health, marine habitats, and the ability to adapt to climate change.

More importantly, RAN PPSK emphasizes the active involvement of small-scale fishers in the policy-making process, from consultation and planning to evaluation. This participatory model is expected to strengthen policy legitimacy and ensure that the solutions developed align with real conditions on the ground.

The policy package includes simplified licensing, access to capital, social protection programs, and recognition of traditional fishing rights. Protection programs such as insurance for lean season risks and accident coverage are also part of the government’s strategy to support the sustainability of fishers' livelihoods.

Implementation and Follow-up

The final document will include a clear action matrix, covering strategic issues, priority actions, success indicators, implementing institutions, and timeframes.

MMAF, together with local governments, NGOs, and fisher communities, will play an active role in implementing and monitoring the program to ensure it stays on track.

Adipati Rahmat, Project Manager of GEF 6 CFI Indonesia, expressed full support for the official endorsement and launch of RAN PPSK by the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. He emphasized that this document is crucial to addressing the needs of the majority of Indonesian small-scale fishers.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Although the policy has been well formulated, the biggest challenge lies in field implementation. Strong regulations will not be effective without adequate local capacity, sufficient funding, and collaboration across sectors. Climate change and marine habitat degradation also require technological innovation and research-based adaptation.

Nevertheless, there are significant opportunities. Through RAN PPSK, Indonesia can improve the welfare of small-scale fishers and reduce inequality; contribute to achieving the SDGs and the Paris Agreement commitments through tangible marine initiatives; and become a regional example of fair, inclusive, and sustainable small-scale fisheries management.

RAN PPSK represents a meeting point between national ambitions and local realities. If implemented consistently, this document could become a new milestone for Indonesia's fisheries sector, going beyond simply preserving the sustainability of fish resources.