Fisheries Co-Management Committee Maluku Pushes Provincial Government to Draft FAD Allocation Law
- May 28, 2025
by M. A. Indira Prameswari
Ambon (22/5)—The Maluku Provincial Government, with support from Masyarakat dan Perikanan Indonesia (MDPI), is gathering input from fisheries stakeholders to draft a gubernatorial regulation on the allocation and placement of FADs (fish aggregating devices). This regulation responds to the urgent need for sustainable FAD management within the 12 nautical mile coastal zone.
Effective FAD allocation is critical to preserving tuna stocks and ensuring the long-term productivity of Maluku’s fisheries sector.
“By prioritizing local FAD regulations in collaboration with MDPI and other partners, we aim to sustain marine ecosystems and support the local economy through exports,” said Maluku Provincial Secretary Ir. Sadikin Ie, M.Si, at the Fisheries Co-Management Committee (FCMC) Maluku meeting.
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According to findings from the draft gubernatorial regulation, FADs contribute to the declining size of tuna catches. Without regulation, tuna stocks could face serious depletion. To prevent this, stakeholders are working through the meeting to establish policies that secure sustainable tuna stocks.
The draft regulation has drawn attention not only from the industry but also from local fishers. “This policy is good because FADs are essential for us. Without them, fuel costs can outweigh our catch value. But it must be regulated so we don’t deplete fish stocks ourselves,” said Ismael Liem, a fisher from Buru Regency whose cooperative is currently registering for a FAD permit.
MDPI Director Yasmine Simbolon, a key supporter of the policy study, emphasized the need for regulations to reflect field realities. “The Governor’s openness gives us hope for sustainable FAD management. Broad stakeholder participation in shaping this regulation can help prevent future ecological and social conflicts,” added MDPI Governance Officer Karel Yerusa.
The goal is to finalize and enact the Maluku FAD allocation regulation by 2026, following feedback from fisheries stakeholders across the province.
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