The Future of Our Fish: Harnessing Data for Food Security

_{by M. A. Indira Prameswari}

“I never realized that regulations could help prevent the depletion of fish in the ocean. But now I see that this can be addressed through the data we collect, ensuring that our catches remain sustainable,” said Ardiansyah, a handline tuna fisher from Bone Regency, South Sulawesi.

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Each year on November 21, MDPI celebrates World Fisheries Day alongside coastal communities and partners. The date coincides with Indonesia’s National Fish Day, and the festivities serve as a platform to champion the role of fisheries data.

The celebration acts in ensuring sustainability across MDPI’s working sites in eight provinces. For over a decade, MDPI has collaborated with fishers to collect crucial data on tuna fisheries.

Fisheries data includes biological data, such as fish weight, length, and species, as well as effort data, including fishing days recorded in logbooks. These records are then cross-validated with fish landing samples.

Yet, this activity often raises a question among fishers: “Why should we bother keeping track of our catch data?”

Sustainability Requires Data

Much like employees tracking their job performance, fishers can use these reports to understand their productivity—whether their catch and effort are improving or declining.

But in fisheries, prosperity cannot be measured by sheer volume of catch alone. True economic stability depends on fish stock sustainability, and sustainability requires data.

A recent MDPI analysis covering 2023 and 2024 revealed a concerning trend: small yellowfin tuna (T. albacares) dominate the catch in most MDPI’s sites. In Bone Regency, for example, 59.5% of the yellowfin tuna caught were juveniles, compared with 40.5% of mature fish.

This imbalance signals overexploitation, as younger fish are being removed from the ecosystem before they can reproduce, threatening the long-term viability of the resource.

“We need to leave smaller fish in the ocean so they can mature and reproduce,“ said Novita Ayu Wulandari, an MDPI Fisheries Data Officer who attended a World Fisheries Day celebration in South Halmahera.

Introducing the Sustainable Fisheries Simulation Game

This year, MDPI used an unconventional method to drive home the importance of data: a fisheries simulation game. Fishers used tools like forks, teaspoons, tablespoons, and sieves—representing various fishing gear such as handlines, pole-and-line, purse seines, and trawls—to “catch” miniature representations of marine species.

The game unfolded in three rounds: unregulated fishing, a discussion period, and regulated fishing. Participants recorded their “catch” and used the data to shape hypothetical regulations.

Comparing the results of unregulated fishing with data-driven, regulated fishing allowed players to see the tangible benefits of sustainable practices.

“When fishers grasp this concept, they are better prepared to advocate for themselves in public forums and government meetings,” said Muhammad Novriansyah, an MDPI Fisheries Officer who facilitated the simulation in Bone.

A Celebration of Community

The World Fisheries Day events also included community activities like competitions and communal celebrations. These celebrations provided an opportunity to share the message of sustainability with a wider audience.

“It was so much fun! We celebrated with huge seafood feast with our community and learned that without sustainable fishing, we’d probably lose a huge feast like this in the future,” said Mentari, a female resident of Bone.

The festivities attracted over 750 participants, including 260 women and 490 men, from MDPI’s sites in eight provinces.

Looking ahead, MDPI plans to expand its efforts, using games to highlight the critical role of fisheries data. The overwhelmingly positive response from participants suggests these initiatives are making an impact.

As Ardiansyah reflected: “I now see how data and regulations can help prevent the loss of fish in the ocean. With the data we collect, we can ensure our catches remain sustainable for the future.“