The Directorate General of Capture Fisheries, through the Port Directorate of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), officially launched the Basic Harbormaster Training for Harbormaster Officers at Fisheries Ports. The six-day training took place from June 16 to 21, 2025, at the Arthama Hotel, Makassar, South Sulawesi. This activity was made possible with funding support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF6) through the Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia program.

The opening of the Basic Harbormaster Training for Harbormaster Officers at Fisheries Port at the Arthama Hotel, Makassar, which was facilitated through CFI Indonesia GEF6 funding (June 16–21, 2025)

The training aims to strengthen human resource capacity in fisheries port harbormasters, enabling officers to carry out their duties professionally and with integrity. It also supports the implementation of MMAF’s priority policies, particularly the quota-based measurable fishing and optimization of post-production non-tax state revenue (PNBP).

According to the committee chair’s report, the training was attended by 30 participants, comprising 26 participants from central UPT (Technical Implementation Unit) fisheries ports and 4 participants from regional UPT. The training materials were delivered by speakers from various institutions, including the Ministry of Transportation, Sukamandi Apparatus Training Center, and technical units under the Directorate General of Capture Fisheries. The total duration of training was 48 hours, consisting of discussions, field practice, and participant presentations as an assessment of their understanding of the training content.

“This activity is part of the strategy to improve harbormaster services and strengthen the implementation of measurable fishing policies and post-production PNBP (Non-Tax State Revenue) collection,” said Zulfikar, the Committee Chair.

In his remarks, the Director of Ports—represented by Head of Harbormaster Work Unit, Hendra—emphasized that the presence of Harbormasters and their officers is crucial to ensuring the safety and smooth operation of fishing vessels. Given the limited number of Harbormasters at fisheries ports, the role of Harbormaster Officers as technical support staff is vital.

“We greatly appreciate the support from GEF6 CFI Indonesia that made this training possible. Not only do harbormasters ensure vessel safety and documentation compliance but also play a frontline role in enforcing measurable fishing policies, including verifying that fishing activities align with government-established quotas,” said Hendra.

He further explained that Harbormasters play a key role in verifying vessel arrivals and departures, inspecting catch landings, and monitoring quota compliance as set out in the measurable fishing scheme based on fisheries management areas (FMAs). This process also forms a crucial basis for fair and transparent calculation and collection of post-production PNBP.

Participants of the Basic Harbormaster Training for Harbormaster Officers conducted field visits to Untia Fishing Port in Makassar (June 16–21, 2025)

As of 2025, out of 686 fisheries ports listed in the Master Plan of National Fishery Port (RIPPN), only 167 Harbormasters have been deployed to 268 port locations. Therefore, systematic and gradual improvements in both the number and capacity of human resources are still needed. CFI Indonesia itself has contributed by facilitating Basic Harbormaster Training for 60 individuals over the past two years.

GEF6 CFI Indonesia is a global program that supports the strengthening of sustainable fisheries governance through cross-sector collaboration and institutional capacity building at both national and local levels.

This training is expected to produce Harbormaster Officers who not only understand technical and administrative aspects but are also capable of adapting to policy dynamics and public service needs at fisheries ports.