The Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) continues to struggle the improvement of the lives of the small-scale fishermen. During the 148th FAO Council Session in Rome Italy, the MMAF delegates led by MMAF’s Secretary General, Sjarief Widjaja, the prioritizes the small-scale fishing activity and coastal communities in the FAO Guidelines. This MMAF’s proposal showed Indonesia’s concern and support in the acceleration of the completion of the FAO Technical Consultation on International Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication.
Sjarief asserted, FAO Guidelines will serve as guidelines for FAO member countries interms of the policies for small-scale fishermen. These guidelines are very important for Indonesia, which has more than 90% small-scale fishermen. FAO Guidelines will be effective as of February 2014. In addition to the life improvement issue, MMAF stressed the importance of the gender equality, where the MMAF encourages FAO to provide a special space for the gender issue in the FAO International Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small Scale Fisheries. In Indonesia, the gender issue has become an important concern in the development and empowerment of small-scale fishermen and coastal communities. Commenting this issue, the Chairperson of Program Committee conveyed appreciation to Indonesia and Bangladesh in an effort to encourage Gender replicating programs that have been carried out to other FAO’s member states. “One of the recommendations proposed out of this meeting is the establishment of the Cross cutting team that focusing on the capacity building,” the Chairperson explained.
Sjarief continued, MMAF delegation also supports the food resilience and nutrition program after 2015. MMAF also conveyed the importance of the fisheries sector as one of the world’s food resilience pillars, particularly in addressing the needs of animal protein. The fisheries sector plays an important role in supporting the food resilience, where the world’s protein needs can be met by the fishery resources, both from capture fisheries and aquaculture. “FAO also appreciates the Indonesia’s initiative in improving human resource capacity, particularly to support the South-South cooperation program providing benefits to 28 FAO member countries, especially in the field of aquaculture, small-scale fisheries, post-harvest, and the management of small islands,” said Sjarief.
Sjarief added, in addition to the FAO Council Session, FAO also hosted a side event called Global Initiative on Blue Economy/Blue Growth in Support of Food Security, Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable Management of Aquatic Resources. This side event even took the Indonesian experience as the lessons learned to be contributed to other FAO member countries. MMAF delegation also affirmed their support to the implementation of the Global Actions Summit for Food Security and Blue Growth that will be held in The Hague, April-May 2014. “Indonesia has also enlisted the FAO member countries supports related to the Bali Communiqué as a result of the Asian Conference on Oceans, Food Security and Blue Growth on June 2013 in Bali,” he added.
Antara