MDPI Rallies for Sustainable Fisheries at Green Press Community 2024 Journalism Event
- December 4, 2024
by Muhammad Alzaki Tristi
Jakarta–Beyond Fisheries: MDPI engaged journalists in this year’s Green Press Community 2024, an initiative spearheaded by the Society of Indonesian Environmental Journalists (SIEJ). Designed to heighten awareness about environmental sustainability, the gathering on Saturday (11/23) in Jakarta brought together an eclectic mix of stakeholders—journalists, activists, students, government officials, NGOs, and private sector representatives—to forge alliances in tackling climate change and preserving fragile ecosystems.
Among the event’s highlights was a public dialogue titled “Saving the Seas, Strengthening the Economy: Collaborations for the Future & Food Security,” hosted at Creative Hall, M Bloc, in South Jakarta.
Participants at the Dialogue (Saturday, November 23, 2024)The session featured three prominent speakers: Arroyan Suwarno, MDPI’s Community Organization Coordinator, spoke on “Fisher Livelihoods and Fish Legacy for the Future”; Putra Satria Timur, MDPI’s Fisheries Lead, explored “Managing Fish Aggregating Devices to Protect the Seas: Time for Action”; and Glenys Octania, investigative journalist from Kompas TV, presented “Microplastics are Choking Marine Life in Indonesia’s Waters.”
Arroyan Suwarno laid bare a stark irony: while small-scale fishers in eastern Indonesia contribute up to 85 percent of the nation’s tuna production, they remain mired in poverty. “Despite their vital role, many face dire financial struggles due to factors such as poor financial literacy, dependency on suppliers, fuel shortages, and the mounting effects of climate change,” Suwarno said.
Putra Satria Timur shed light on the proliferation of fish aggregating devices (FADs), structures used to attract tuna. The sheer number of FADs, he argued, threatens marine ecosystems if left unchecked. “The ocean now resembles a vineyard of FADs. Without proper regulation, these tools could devastate marine habitats,” he said, urging policymakers to enforce stricter controls on their use.
Timur called for limits on the number of FADs per fisher, restrictions on where they can be deployed, and outright bans in conservation zones and shipping lanes. His message was clear: without decisive action, Indonesia risks depleting the resources that underpin its tuna industry and its reputation as a global fisheries leader.
Kompas TV journalist Glenys Octania turned the spotlight to another alarming issue—microplastic pollution in Indonesia’s waters. Her investigative report, “Microplastics Are Choking Marine Life in Indonesia’s Waters,” revealed how these particles have infiltrated the food chain, threatening marine life and human health alike. “Microplastics undermine consumer confidence in fish and seafood, dealing a blow to small-scale fishers who depend on local buyers,” Octania noted.
Read also: Championing Small-Scale Fisheries: MDPI Brings a Fresh Vision to Tokyo’s Sustainable Seafood Summit
As the world’s largest tuna exporter, responsible for 17 to 22 percent of global supply, Indonesia faces the dual challenge of sustaining its fisheries while preserving livelihoods. MDPI believes the solution lies in empowering small-scale fishers, not only to secure their economic stability but also to ensure the health of the oceans they depend on.
To this end, the foundation has implemented a series of initiatives, including strengthening fishers’ cooperatives, teaching household financial management, and guiding communities in adopting sustainable fishing practices. “Collaboration between fishers, journalists, and other stakeholders is vital to amplifying their voices and shaping policies that protect our environment,” Suwarno emphasized.
MDPI’s involvement in the Green Press Community 2024 media event reflects a growing recognition of environmental journalism as a powerful tool for change. By fostering cross-sector partnerships, the foundation aims to combat the escalating threats of climate change and pollution while promoting food security for future generations.
Through events like this, MDPI hopes to rally broader support for its mission: to protect Indonesia’s marine ecosystems and uplift the small-scale fishers who serve as stewards of the seas.
Read also: The Future of Our Fish: Harnessing Data for Food Security
