Indonesia Launches Fish Traceability System for Global Markets

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is intensifying efforts to strengthen the global competitiveness of its fishery products by rolling out a national traceability system.

The Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry has called on industry players to adopt the National Fish Traceability and Logistics System, known as Stelina, as part of the country’s strategy to meet international market demands and reinforce sustainable practices.

Marine Affairs and Fisheries Deputy Minister Didit Herdiawan Ashaf said global standards have shifted, with physical quality alone no longer sufficient without proof of legality and sustainability.

“Fishery products today are not only required to be of high quality, but must also come from supply chains that are legal, transparent, traceable, and uphold sustainability and social responsibility,” Didit said in Jakarta on Friday, April 10, 2026, as quoted by Infopublik.id.

He noted that global consumers increasingly demand clear information about product origins, fishing methods, and aquaculture practices, as well as their impact on ecosystems. Traceability, he stressed, has become a market necessity rather than an option.

To support this transition, the ministry organized the Seafood Traceability Technical Alignment and Industry Engagement Workshop on April 8, 2026, to align government and industry understanding of traceability systems. “We are answering market needs with Stelina,” Didit said.

He also emphasized that President Prabowo’s flagship program, Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih (Red and White Fishermen Villages), will integrate traceability to ensure fishing villages are not only production centers but also connected to global markets.

Acting Director General of Strengthening the Competitiveness of Marine and Fishery Products, Machmud, described Stelina as a collaborative solution built on system interoperability. Its output is a QR code technology that records data from upstream to downstream, offering consumers a comprehensive view of product traceability.

“This system provides transparency at every stage, from catch or cultivation to consumer, while dispelling negative perceptions that Indonesian fishery products come from illegal fishing or environmentally harmful practices,” Machmud said.

Previously, Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the blue economy, ensuring that fishing and aquaculture activities are carried out sustainably and responsibly to safeguard ecosystems while supporting national economic growth. ***