Fisher’s Catch Data Collection Dissemination in Minaesa Village
- September 27, 2021
By: Novita Ayu Wulandari, Subhan Murid, Amrollah, Putra Satria Timur
MDPI has been working in North Sulawesi since 2015, carrying out data collection on handline tuna fishery and “huhate” fishing vessels. Now, along with having entered MDPI’s 8th year as an established organization, a new strategy has been developed to put more focus on Fisheries Community Organization (FCO). Through this strategy, MDPI began identifying potential areas for tuna fishing in North Sulawesi. In 2021, Talawaan Bajo village also known administratively as Minaesa was established as MDPI’s newer sites. Minaesa village has a population of fishers, 90% of whom are small-scale tuna fishers with fiber vessels with a length of about 9 m, and 15-30 PK motor engines, which they take out on their 1-day fishing trips.
Although Minaesa is considered to be a new site, MDPI has rolled out several programs since establishing an office in the area, including the measurement of 46 vessels by local governmental departments as the first step of acquiring a pas kecil before continuing with the issuance of Fishing Vessel Registration Certificate (TDKP) by the North Sulawesi Marine and Fisheries Department (MFD). A cooking competition was also held for local fisher wives, and recently an outreach event in the form of Movie Night was carried out to raise awareness on Endangered/Threatened/Protected (ETP) species. In addition, data collection trials have also been implemented, involving a group of fishers and sellers.
To further expand data collection activities in Minaesa, MDPI conducted a dissemination on “catch data collection for tuna” on September 24, 2021 at the local assembly hall. Seen in attendance were 27 participants including the Head of Capture Fisheries from North Sulawesi MFD, SEKDIN, regional Head of Capture Fisheries from North Minahasa MFD, local fisheries outreach staff, village head, fishers, suppliers, and sellers.
In his presentation, North Sulawesi Head of Capture Fisheries Mr. Jesta Saruan reminded everyone the importance of data collection for sustainable fisheries management. “If the data is not good, results will not be good for us either. But if the data is good, results will definitely be good for us as well.” It was also stated that one of the roles of fishers in fisheries management include filling out fishing logbooks diligently, especially now that the logbook format has been simplified for small-scale fishers. North Minahasa Head of Capture Fisheries Mr. Eko Hercahyono meanwhile expressed the importance of the fisheries business owner card “KUSUKA” for both fishers and suppliers, even seller, in order to support their business. If fishers are registered, they can easily access various benefits that come with it, including support from the central government, Marine and Fisheries Ministry.
In addition, Mr. Fanny Luas from the Likupang Port department conveyed their readiness to provide continuing support for sustainable fisheries management, through vessel measurement and pas kecil issuance. “As an extension of the Ministry of Transportation, we are ready to help measure vessels of small-scale fishers so that they may be legally registered, immediately. Vessels may be gathered in one location for us to measure, and the pas kecil will be issued right away.” Local fishery outreach staff have also agreed to synergize with other MDPI programs that will be conducted in the near future.
Most importantly, all fishers and suppliers have committed to be actively involved in data collection activities in Minaesa.
