The GEF-6 Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia attended and provided funding support for an activity organized by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) through the Center for Standardization and Certification of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Human Resources. The activity focused on developing the Indonesian National Work Competency Standard Draft (RSKKNI) for Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Marine Areas. The event was held in a hybrid format (onsite and online) at Bintaro Aviary Hotel on September 29–30, 2025.

Regulations and Certification Schemes as the Basis of Discussion

The meeting was opened by the Head of the Center for Marine and Fisheries Training, Dr. Anastasia Rita Tisiana Dwi Kuswardani, who underscored the importance of regulatory references such as the Ministerial Regulation No. 9 of 2015 on the Competency Map, as well as the 2020 Fisheries and Marine Occupational Maps, as the foundation for developing new standards. She highlighted that the formulation of the RSKKNI for EAFM is expected to produce a certification scheme that can be adopted by Professional Certification Bodies (LSP), allowing the resulting standard to serve as a national benchmark for enhancing the competencies of human resources in the fisheries sector.

Head of the Center for Marine and Fisheries Training, Dr. Anastasia Rita Tisiana Dwi Kuswardani, officially opened the meeting for the Development of RSKKNI on Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) at Hotel Aviary, Bintaro (September 29–30, 2025)

Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for Competency Standards

The activity brought together representatives from various institutions and associations, including the MMAF's DJPT, WWF US (represented by Anton Wijonarno), Coral Triangle Center, WWF Indonesia, LSP for Marine Conservation and Services, the Indonesian Tuna Association, PT Philips Seafood Indonesia, PT Bumi Menara Internusa (BMI), PT Sumber Kemenangan Sejahtera Abadi (SKSA), the Indonesian Shrimp Fishing Entrepreneurs Association (HPPI), the Indonesian Demersal Association (ADI), and the GEF-6 CFI Indonesia PMU.

During the discussion, Dr. Imron Natsir from the Indonesian Tuna Association (ASTUIN) emphasized that the competency standards being developed must align with the realities of the capture fisheries industry. He added that while the SKKNI is crucial at the national level, it should also be harmonized with international standards to strengthen export competitiveness and the competence of vessel crew. “The standards built must bring tangible socio-economic impact—not only focus on ecological aspects,” he explained.

WWF US representative, Anton Wijonarno, attended the hybrid meeting on the Development of RSKKNI for Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) at Hotel Aviary, Bintaro (September 29–30, 2025)

WWF US representative Anton Wijonarno noted that this meeting marked a concrete follow-up to previous initiatives. “The formulation of the Marine EAFM RSKKNI is a mandate from the EAFM Gathering held in Bogor last September, and a continuation of the EAFM Specific Work Competency (SK3), which is now moving toward the competency testing stage for civil servants within MMAF. Once formalized as an SKKNI, this standard will provide a unified reference for the wider public—including civil society, the private sector, and academia—on ecosystem-based fisheries management in marine areas,” he said.

Meeting Produces Draft Competency Map for the EAFM RSKKNI

Over the two-day meeting, participants successfully produced a Draft Competency Map for the RSKKNI on Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Marine Areas. The draft will serve as an initial foundation for further review and refinement, to be followed by public consultations and submission to the National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP) for official endorsement.

CFI Indonesia’s participation in this meeting reflects its ongoing commitment to strengthening institutional and human resource capacity in line with its vision to promote sustainable, globally competitive fisheries management that delivers concrete benefits for Indonesia’s coastal communities.