Supported by the International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF), delegates can look forward to important commercial topics including international market opportunities and access requirements, human rights and social issues, as well as updates on the progress of the National Plan of Action for Tuna, Skipjack and Neritic Tuna. At the same time, top-level speakers will update regional stakeholders on new regulations, policies and performance.
“Indonesia’s tuna fisheries make an important contribution to MMAF’s key goals of sovereignty, sustainability and prosperity. By combing the 2nd Bali Tuna Conference with the 5th International Coastal Tuna Business Forum we aim to bring government, scientists and industry together to continue building upon these objectives,” says Narmoko Prasmaji, Director General for Capture Fisheries.
The combination of these two events into a single special programme for 2016 will bring diverse sectors even closer together to ensure the ecologically, socially and economically sustainable development of Indonesia’s tuna fisheries. The continued collaboration between MMAF and IPNLF provides a vital foundation for supporting the development of sustainable tuna fisheries in Indonesia, the world’s largest tuna fishing nation.
Many leading international tuna brands and retailers who are looking to establish better access to sustainable tuna resources will attend the event. They will be joined by members of the commercial catching and processing sectors, NGOs and government officials.
Over the past year, the Government of Indonesia through MMAF has embarked on a progressive and forward thinking strategy to promote and expand the nation’s small-scale fisheries and to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. IPNLF has supported MMAF to improve the management and governance of Indonesia’s one-by-one tuna fisheries, via collaborative workshops at both the national and regional fisheries management organisation (RFMO) level. Outcomes have included the development of target reference limits, design of catch and effort controls, and the implementation of improved monitoring and compliance systems.
IPNLF also promotes market interest and demand for Indonesia’s one-by-one tuna products by fostering closer connections between international buyers and Indonesian producers. Furthermore, an independent evaluation of the one-by-one FIP in Indonesia – aiming for certification by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) – revealed that the fisheries are making exceptional progress, and are on target to achieving this goal.
To bolster advancement towards MSC certification, IPNLF and its collaborators have initiated a portfolio of projects to enhance fishery governance, strengthen capacity and skills, minimise ecosystem impacts, and improve product traceability.
Andrew Harvey, IPNLF Director for Indonesia, comments: “Under the direction of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries and with strong collaboration between stakeholders, Indonesia is strengthening its position as a regional leader for sustainable, ethical and traceable tuna products. These efforts are poised to contribute to improved ocean conditions throughout the region, underpinning job creation, food security and economic growth.”
The organisers will publish the full forum programme soon.
For more details and to register for the forthcoming BTC and ICTBF, please visit www.btc-ictbf-2016.kkp.go.id
