Efforts to preserve marine ecosystems and ensure productive fisheries continue to be encouraged. One of these efforts is the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) training organized by CFI Indonesia in collaboration with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) and the University of Papua (Unipa). (October 8–10, 2025)

This activity involved 20 participants (13 men and 7 women), consisting of fisheries extension workers and champions (representatives of active fishers) from Papua, West Papua, and Southwest Papua. Participants came from Raja Ampat, Kaimana, Biak Numfor, Wondama Bay, as well as representatives from Ambon BPPP (Fisheries Training and Extension Center) and the West Papua Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office.

The Facilitation and Dissemination of Fisheries Management Monitoring and Evaluation for Extension Workers and Champions through the EAFM Technical Guidance was supported by the GEF 6 CFI Indonesia grant, Manokwari (October 8–9, 2025)

This two-day Technical Guidance is part of the GEF 6 CFI Indonesia program: "The Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management in Eastern Indonesia", covering three Fisheries Management Areas: WPP 715, 717, and 718.

Why Has EAFM Become a National Strategy?

EAFM is an ecosystem-based fisheries management approach that considers the relationships among fish resources, the environment, and social-economic factors. This approach is highly relevant in eastern Indonesia, a region rich in biodiversity where communities rely heavily on the sea for their livelihoods.

According to Henok Nimbrod Indouw, Head of Marine Affairs and Fisheries for West Papua, EAFM has become a national strategy because it provides a framework to address marine management challenges comprehensively. “Strengthening the capacity of facilitators such as extension workers and champions is crucial for accelerating EAFM implementation at the local level,” he said during the opening session.

The training included understanding EAFM principles and core pillars, ecosystem indicator assessment, cross-regional knowledge exchange, and encouraging local action based on data and science.

Knowledge Must Lead to Action

Prof. Ridwan Sala, Head of the Unipa Learning Center, emphasized that the training is not only about transferring knowledge. “Knowledge that is not applied in the field will be wasted. Extension workers must be able to communicate conservation messages in language that fishers can easily understand,” he stated.

The Head of Unipa EAFM LC, Prof. Ridwan Sala, delivered material at the EAFM Technical Guidance in Manokwari (October 8–9, 2025).

He also highlighted the importance of ongoing mentoring after the technical guidance to ensure real impact in communities.

Field Challenges: From Stigma to Stunting

Discussions during the training revealed several key challenges in Papua fisheries management, including:

Financial management: Fishers can earn up to Rp6 million per day, but without financial literacy, many lack savings or sustainable business capital.

Customary conflicts (sasi): Tension arises when customary marine areas are opened without agreement from local communities. Written agreements are recommended to maintain social harmony.

Trust in government programs: Fishers are often skeptical because many programs lack continuity. One proposed solution is to focus on youth education to develop a future generation of fishers who are more adaptive and concerned about the ecosystem.

Learning Through Field-Based Case Studies

Participants also conducted case study simulations based on their regions. For example, the Wondama Bay group analyzed the ecological condition of Manarbu Village using the six EAFM domains:

Fish Resources: High-value catches like lobster and sea cucumber remain stable. Protected species are not harvested.

Habitat and Ecosystem: Marine habitats are in good condition, with strong seagrass, mangrove, and covering coral.

Fishing Techniques: No major violations, though some vessel documentation remains incomplete. Most fishers are already certified.

Social: Stakeholder engagement remains low and social conflict still occurs.

Economic: Household assets are limited and saving habits are not yet optimal.

Institutional: Customary regulations such as sasi are applied, but weak coordination between institutions limits its effectiveness.

Voices from the Field

Bastian Imbir, a Fisheries Extension Officer from Kaimana Regency, explained that many fishers in Papua still lack awareness of the importance of protecting marine ecosystems because they assume the sea will always provide. “I will use this knowledge to help broaden fishers’ understanding about the limits of nature,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dina Mambraku from Manokwari stated that the training materials were highly relevant and could be directly applied in mentoring fisher groups in her area.

Future Outlook: Collaboration and Consistency

In addition to technical training, the program encourages collaboration among government, academia, NGOs, and the private sector. Strategic issues such as small island conservation, climate change adaptation, digital technology utilization, and strengthening fisheries supply chains became the focus of further discussion.

Dr. Yuanike Kaber, Head of the Pacific Aquatic Resources Research Center (P2SP2) of Unipa, expressed appreciation for the trust placed in Unipa as the training organizer and hoped participants will become agents of change in their respective regions.

Small Steps, Big Impact

Meanwhile, the representative of GEF 6 CFI Indonesia, Dita Rosriana Mulyadi, S.Pi., expressed strong hopes that through the GEF 6 program, coastal communities will be able to achieve a higher level of independence in managing marine and coastal resources, ensuring their sustainability.

This EAFM technical guidance is not merely a training program, but part of a significant step toward a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable management of Indonesia’s oceans. Moving forward, similar activities are expected to become a regular agenda, serving as real proof that the sea is not only a source of food, but also the future of the nation.