The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), through the Directorate of Fisheries Resource Management (PSDI), in collaboration with a Professional Certification Institute (LSP) called LSP Konservasi dan Jasa Kelautan (Conservation and Marine Services), and supported by CFI Indonesia GEF-6, held a two-day Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Certification Scheme Workshop on July 25–26, 2025 at Swiss-Belhotel Bogor.

This workshop aimed to strengthen the competency certification scheme for ecosystem-based fisheries management, as part of the steps towards the Indonesian National Work Competency Standards (SKKNI). It was a follow-up to the EAFM Implementation Update meeting held in June.

PSDI Director Dr. Syahril Abd Raup, accompanied by Conservation and Marine Services LSP Director Dr. Fedi Sondita and EAFM Certification Scheme Committee Chair Prof. I Nyoman Suyasa, officially opened the EAFM Certification Scheme Workshop at Swiss-Belhotel Bogor (Juy 25, 2025)

In his speech, Dr. Syahril emphasized that this workshop was an important step in strengthening Fisheries Management Units (UPP) in various Fisheries Management Areas (WPP). He stressed the need for synergy among all stakeholders to promote more coordinated and sustainable fisheries management.

“We agreed to immediately improve UPP WPP management, including developing work plans until the end of the year and setting fishing quotas, such as for tuna,” he said.

Furthermore, the PSDI Directorate will continue to promote improvements in UPP WPP coordination functions to achieve better fisheries management, including boosting research and enhancing data quality. This effort will involve various parties, such as EAFM Learning Centers (LC) and universities within the UPP WPP scientific panel team.

“In the future, we will make improvements, including establishing new EAFM LCs. For instance, Hasanuddin University has requested the establishment of an LC at the Untia Fishing Port,” added Syahril.

He also referred to the outcomes of the international meeting on the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement (FSA), which emphasizes the prohibition of subsidies for overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices. According to him, this workshop is part of Indonesia’s commitment to fulfilling that agreement.

Meanwhile, Conservation and Marine Services LSP Director Dr. Fedi Sondita explained that this workshop focused on two main things, namely the development of an EAFM certification scheme and the development of assessment tools, which began with a discussion of MAPA (Planning Activities and Assessment Processes).

“This activity will also review the draft of 10 certification schemes and develop competency test materials in preparation for certification tests to be held this year,” he said.

Certification Scheme Workshop participants consisting of representatives from the PSDI Directorate, WWF GEF Agency, CFI Indonesia PMU, the EAFM Certification Scheme Committee, and assessors from the Coral Triangle Center, Wetlands Indonesia Foundation, Terangi Foundation, Serang LPSPL-MMAF, and independent assessors gathered at Swiss-Bell Hotel, Bogor (July 25, 2025)

The event was attended by various stakeholders, including WWF GEF Agency, CFI Indonesia PMU, the EAFM Certification Scheme Committee, as well as assessors from Coral Triangle Center, Wetland Indonesia Foundation, Terangi Foundation, Serang LPSPL–MMAF, and independent assessors.

EAFM Certification Scheme Committee Chair Prof. I Nyoman Suyasa added that the certification scheme refers to Minister of MAF Regulation No. 9 of 2015 on Special Work Competency Standards for Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management.

“At present, 30 training modules for EAFM planners, implementers, and evaluators have been developed by the BRSDM-KP Training Center with support from WWF Indonesia. The certification scheme will be prepared for personnel at the implementer, technician, and expert levels,” Suyasa explained.

The discussion also addressed the requirements for competency test participants and the relevance of previous training. Master Assessor Mangun Winata, S.Sos., guided participants in reviewing the substance of Minister of MAF Regulation No. 9 of 2015, particularly regarding the mapping and organizing of competency standards, as well as the clarity of professional nomenclature within the certification scheme.

The workshop will continue with discussions on MAPA and EAFM competency test instruments, facilitated by CFI Indonesia GEF-6.