ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia and the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service (NFQS) of South Korea have agreed to collaborate in efforts to strengthen the quality assurance system for upstream and downstream fisheries in the region.
The collaboration between the two institutions is an implementation of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) which has been in place since 2016.
“As part of the MRA, we agreed to carry out a joint inspection of the upstream-downstream quality and safety assurance system for fishery products,” said Head of the Marine and Fishery Products Quality Monitoring and Control Agency, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia, Ishartini in Jakarta, quoted on Wednesday.
Ishartini said that the joint inspection showed the two countries’ commitment to improving the quality and safety standards of fishery products. Apart from that, joint inspections also strengthen trade relations between Indonesia and South Korea, especially in marine and fisheries commodities and products.
“This joint inspection is an important step in strengthening Indonesia’s role as a net exporter of world-quality fishery products,” explained Ishartini.
At the meeting with NFQS, Ishartini explained how the Marine and Fishery Products Quality Monitoring and Control Agency carries out its duties as quality assurance. Starting with the support of Technical Implementation Units located in each Province in Indonesia and equipped with quality and safety laboratories, as well as managing the implementation of the quality assurance system at the local level throughout the country.
Ishartini explained that at the upstream level, the institution carries out certifications such as good handling practices, good aquaculture practices, good fish drugs production practices, good fish drugs distribution practices, good fish feed production practices, good handling practices on board fishing ports.
Meanwhile, at the downstream level, the Marine and Fishery Products Quality Monitoring and Control Agency carries out certification of good manufacturing practices, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and good fish distribution management practices.
“This certification shows the principles of preventive measures in monitoring and controlling the quality assurance of fish and fishery products so that Indonesia can become a producer of quality and safe fish and fishery products in the world,” he explained.
Therefore, Ishartini is optimistic that the Marine and Fishery Products Quality Monitoring and Control Agency can further contribute to the sustainability of the fishing industry as well as public health.
According to him, joint inspection will also be beneficial for fisheries exporters to South Korea considering that the Korean delegation’s visit to Indonesia was aimed at taking a closer look at fishery product production facilities in Indonesia.
“We assure them that Indonesian fisheries business actors are also capable of producing high-quality products, thereby minimizing rejection,” concluded Ishartini. (AT Network)
Follow Us at Google News and WA Channel