ASIATODAY.ID, BALI – Indonesia has called for a review of the Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) quota allocation system to make it fairer and more proportionate for developing countries, including Indonesia.
The appeal was delivered by Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono during his Opening Remarks at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna (CCSBT) in Bali on Monday, October 6, 2025.
Minister Trenggono emphasized that Indonesia’s current quota of 1,366 tons does not yet reflect the nation’s contribution and real needs in the fisheries sector—particularly given that Indonesian waters serve as a critical spawning ground for the species. He proposed an increase in the quota to 3,000 tons.
“Coastal states like Indonesia, which bear the responsibility of conserving and managing the spawning grounds of Southern Bluefin Tuna, deserve fair treatment and meaningful opportunities,” Trenggono asserted.
He stressed that the principles of fairness and equity, as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), must underpin the distribution of global marine resources. He also noted that the current allocation system does not sufficiently consider the circumstances of developing nations that rely directly on tuna resources for their economies and food security.
Indonesia, Trenggono added, has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainable fisheries management through the implementation of quota-based fishing policies, enhanced electronic monitoring, and the adoption of AI-powered digital logbooks to ensure transparency and compliance.
Strengthening Dialogue on Broader Issues
Beyond the quota issue, Indonesia also urged the CCSBT to strengthen dialogue on marine protected areas, ecosystem-based management, and the impacts of climate change on global tuna stocks.
As part of this effort, Indonesia has submitted a proposal encouraging more open and constructive dialogue among CCSBT members on integrating conservation principles into the organization’s strategic objectives.
Through this initiative, Indonesia seeks to align the CCSBT’s mandate with global frameworks such as the 30×30 conservation target under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF-CBD), the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), and Indonesia’s own Blue Economy framework.
This approach aims to create a space for members to exchange perspectives, strengthen cooperation, and harmonize international processes with efforts to conserve and sustainably utilize Southern Bluefin Tuna resources.
“The strength of the CCSBT lies not only in science and compliance but also in solidarity and fairness,” Minister Trenggono affirmed.
The CCSBT (Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna) is responsible for regulating and overseeing the management of Southern Bluefin Tuna resources in the Indian Ocean and other relevant waters.
Its eight members include Australia, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the Fishing Entity of Taiwan, South Africa, and the European Union.
Indonesia became a full member of the CCSBT in 2008, following the issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 109 of 2007 on the ratification of the Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna.
Minister Trenggono expressed hope that this year’s meeting in Bali would produce decisions that are fair, balanced, and inclusive, reflecting a shared responsibility to ensure the sustainability of Southern Bluefin Tuna resources for future generations. (AT Network)
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