First National Meeting AP2HI: Towards Sustainable Fisheries Practice
Asosiasi Perikanan Pole & Line dan Handline Indonesia (AP2HI) conducted its first national meeting since its establishment in March 2014. Attended to this meeting were trustee, board, advisor and members of AP2HI. Guests of honor to this meeting were including government agencies (Directorate General of Fishery Product Processing and Marketing-MMAF and Directorate General Capture Fisheries-MMAF), international agency (United Nations Industrial Development Organization or UNIDO), foreign institutions (IPNLF, AAFA and (BHLN) Technical Services, LLC) and local NGOs (MDPI and WWF Indonesia).
This very first time national meeting was held on Monday, February 16, 2015, at EDTC Room, PKSPL – IPB Campus, Bogor, West Java. Mrs. Yanti Djuari as Chairwoman of AP2HI, gave speech at opening ceremony. She hopes that this national meeting will lead to an agreement for promoting the sustainable fishing practice that will benefit both for business and environment. Mr. Ir. Saut P. Hutagalung, as Director General of Fishery Product Processing and Marketing-MMAF, and also as one of AP2HI advisor, also gave opening remark and then formally opened this meeting. He emphasized the importance of AP2HI role in sustainable fishery industry to promote the eco-labeling of fishery products, especially from pole and line and handline. He also mentioned that last year MMAF has program towards sustainable fisheries, and this year MMAF will promote the eco-labeling of seafood products.
The first national meeting of AP2HI was attended by some of reputable international institutions, namely International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF), American Albacore Fisheries Association (AAFA) and (BHLN) Technical Services, LLC, who gave presentation.
Mr. John Burton from IPNLF explained that IPNLF has the same vision, mission and goal with AP2HI in promoting sustainable and eco-friendly fisheries practices, which can meet the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard. Expectantly, in the next two years, IPNLF and AP2HI could gain certification from MSC.
Mrs. Natalie Webster from AAFA explained that AAFA is a non-profit organization and one of IPNLF member. AAFA known for its success in obtained the MSC certification and for delivery the good quality of fish products, consistently. Around 90% of the catches are for market who demands the MSC certification, and this is how we can prove that there is a market-based incentive for sustainable fisheries.
Mr. Blane Olson from Technical Service, LLC, explained that (BHLN) Technical Services, LLC, is hired by P.T Anova Food (US) to facilitate the production and delivery of frozen seafood. US market now is demanding the certified tuna products. Currently, under MSC certification process, there were 207 fishermen that have been certified, 105 assessments that have been done and 126 species that have involved in this certification business. Moreover, Mr. Blane Oslon also emphasized that other than MSC certification, they also promoting fair trade certification.
There was also presentation on Fisheries Improvement Program (FIP) by Mr. A. Habibi from WWF Indonesia. Worth for noted, is the remarkably progress on the indicators of three (3) principles of FIP, namely sustainability of stock, ecosystem impact and fishery management. Compare to 2010 data, in 2014, tuna fishery in Indonesia has greater proportion on good score for all those principles.
By the end of the national meeting, all members of AP2HI signed the Code of Conduct as based for their compliance for sustainable fishing practices and promoting eco-labeling. All members also agreed that as follow up action for conducting the eco-labeling process, we should maintain intensive collaboration and partnership with government agencies, fishery associations, NGOs and other stakeholders as well.
