ASIATODAY.ID, BALI – The Indonesian government invites countries in the Asia Pacific to strengthen and expand market access for fishery products produced by small-scale fishermen.
As one of the countries producing capture and aquaculture fisheries, Indonesia contributes 7% of the world’s total fisheries production.
“The majority of Indonesian capture fisheries fishermen, 90% are small-scale fishermen and their interests are important for us to fight for,” said the Director General of Capture Fisheries, Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Lotharia Latif at the Asia Pacific regional meeting in Bali, 1 October 2024.
The meeting was organized by the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries together with the Food Agricultural Organization (FAO) and Infofish.
Latif emphasized that Indonesia has great potential in the marine fisheries sector. For this reason, through this meeting, he hopes that trade arrangements involving small-scale fisheries can play a greater role and be heard on the international stage.
“I invite countries in the Asia Pacific region to strengthen policy direction in international forums, because our fisheries have many similarities in terms of characteristics, challenges and opportunities to compete in the global market,” he said.
Head of FAO Representative for Indonesia and Timor Leste Rajendra Aryal Kumar appreciated the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and Infofish’s support for the good collaboration in organizing the workshop.
He requested that this activity be a means of discussion and exchange of ideas, especially on aspects of trade in marine and fishery products originating from small-scale fisheries.
“Small-scale fisheries are not just about business, but also about livelihoods, empowerment and fisheries management. “We hope that this meeting can contribute to developing recommendations for sustainable fisheries management globally,” he said.
This workshop with the theme Opportunities and Challenges in Economic and Post-Harvest Issues Related to Market Access for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products, is a follow-up to the FAO Regional Workshop on Understanding Fisheries Support Measures in the Asian Context which was held on 17 – 19 October 2023.
In general, the aim of this meeting is to foster mutual understanding and discuss constructively the challenges and opportunities faced by countries in the region in post-harvest activities when producing and exporting fishery products.
The workshop, which runs until 3 October 2024, involves representatives of FAO member countries in the Asia and Pacific region. Each country explained the marine fisheries sector, emphasizing steps and strategies in trade agreements for sustainable fishery products.
Apart from that, a discussion was also held regarding post-harvest studies of fishery product trade, as well as the challenges faced in increasing market access for these fishery products. (AT Network)
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