RRI.CO.ID, Bogor - Indonesia’s commitment to “Blue Economy” policies has earned international recognition, with the country highlighted as a model for sustainable fisheries management during a high-level United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) meeting in Iceland.

The acknowledgment came from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) during a strategic session titled “Lessons learned from improving fisheries management: 15 years of application of MSC tools in the pre-certification space,” held on the sidelines of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) gathering on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

The forum underscored Indonesia’s success in integrating small-scale fisheries into a science-based management framework.

Amanda Lejbowicz, Head of Fisheries Standard Accessibility at MSC, said Indonesia’s collaborative approach has created a systemic impact in fisheries governance. “Indonesia shows how strategic partnerships between the government and stakeholders can create a systemic impact in fisheries governance,” she said, as quoted by Antara.

Indonesia’s strategy involves coordination among the government, industry associations, research institutions, and civil society. This foundation ensures that Fisheries Improvement Projects (FIPs) are aligned with national policy and supported by on-the-ground technical implementation.

The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) reported that Indonesia’s adoption of international sustainability standards is advancing through several key initiatives.

Currently, seven MSC Improvement Programs are active, involving industrial units and associations to promote transparency and science-based management, alongside one fully certified fishery that represents sustainable products globally.

This transition is reinforced by Indonesia’s Blue Economy focus, which prioritizes quota-based management and strict harvest control rules to prevent overfishing and safeguard long-term marine health.

Fery Sutyawan, Chairman of the Fish Resource Stock Assessment Working Group at KKP, said fisheries governance improvements are a national strategic priority. “Collaboration with various partners, including MSC, helps strengthen cross-sector coordination, increase transparency, and ensure that fisheries improvement efforts, especially small-scale ones, are aligned with national policies,” he explained.

Indonesia has also advanced Management Strategy Evaluations (MSE) and Harvest Control Rules, even in fisheries with limited data. Through MSC’s Pathway Program, the country has identified sustainability gaps and developed roadmaps for technical improvement.

MSC noted that Indonesia’s progress is supported by regulations, science-based management, and market incentives that encourage responsible practices. The recognition further strengthens the credibility and economic value of Indonesian seafood products in the global market. ***