Raising Awareness on Sustainable Tropical Tuna Fishery Management in Gorontalo
- April 30, 2025
by Putra Satria Timur and Karel Yerusa
Tropical tuna fisheries play a crucial role in Indonesia’s economy and food security. To ensure their sustainability, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) has released the Harvest Strategy for Tropical Tuna. This strategy outlines key measures to sustainably manage yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, and skipjack tuna in Indonesia’s archipelagic waters.
The strategy aligns with the MMAF’s Blue Economy Policy, which emphasizes ecosystem balance as the foundation for sustainable fisheries management that supports both social and economic well-being.
Read also: The Importance of the Tropical Tuna Harvest Strategy for Indonesian Small-scale Fishers
Good Data for Effective Fishery Management
As a member of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMO)—international bodies that regulate global fisheries — Indonesia is fully committed to managing highly migratory fish stocks, including tuna, in a sustainable way.
On February 14, 2025, MDPI facilitated the first socialization meeting of the Harvest Strategy for Tropical Tuna in Fisheries Management Areas (WPP) 713–715, held in Gorontalo Province. The event brought together representatives from BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency), Gorontalo Government, local academics, and civil society organizations.
A key point of discussion was the importance of science-based fisheries management. Agustinus Anung Widodo, M.Si, from National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), emphasized that valid data enables the creation of more accurate and effective policies.
Anung also explained that most tuna in Indonesia’s archipelagic waters are residential, with only 3–8% migrating outside Indonesian waters. This finding supports Indonesia’s sovereign decision to implement its own harvest strategy for tropical tuna.
Aligning Provincial Regulation with National Policy
The strategy includes three main actions: restricting the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs), temporarily closing yellowfin tuna fishing areas in the Banda Sea, and setting catch limits.
“This document has been in the works since 2014 and was officially adopted in 2023. Its development was informed by scientific data and stakeholder consultations across FMA 713–715. Our future fisheries development must follow this strategy,” said Mumpuni Cyntia Pratiwi from the Directorate General of Fishery Resource Management, MMAF.
The event produced several recommendations, including: increasing public outreach on FAD regulations, revising rigid FAD rules, and aligning Gorontalo’s regional mid-term development plan with the Harvest Strategy.
The Future of Gorontalo’s Tropical Tuna Fishery
Going forward, Gorontalo’s fisheries stakeholders will focus on education, flexible implementation, and harmonizing FAD regulations through 2027.
“With data-driven management and well-designed policies, Indonesia’s tropical tuna fisheries can remain sustainable and continue to provide long-term benefits to coastal communities,” concluded Karel Yerusa alongside Putra Satria Timur from MDPI.
Read also: The Fisheries Co-Management Committee Moves to Tackle FAD Conflict in Gorontalo Waters