PELAKITA.ID – Indonesia, as one of the world’s largest tuna producers, plays a crucial role in global fisheries.
However, in recent years, alarming trends have emerged, signaling a decline in tuna populations within Indonesian waters.
This analysis explores the causes behind this decline and proposes strategies for sustainable fisheries management, considering environmental, economic, and policy-related factors.
Understanding the Scale of the Issue
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) reports that Indonesia’s tuna catch reaches approximately one million tons annually, contributing 16% of the world’s total tuna supply. Despite this significant output, concerns over sustainability persist.
Recent studies from the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) indicate that while 86% of global commercial tuna stocks remain at healthy levels, some regions, including Indonesia, face increasing pressure from overfishing and environmental changes.
Economically, Indonesia’s fisheries sector contributes 2.6% to the nation’s GDP, falling short of the 4% target set by the government.
Additionally, fish processing output has plummeted from 70 tons per day in 2014 to just 40 tons per day in 2023, leading to widespread job losses. These trends indicate a pressing need to reassess and reinforce fisheries policies to ensure long-term industry stability.
Emerging Patterns and Alarming Trends
Local fishermen report declining tuna catches despite increased fishing efforts. A fisherman from Pekalongan, for example, noted that his haul had more than halved in the same fishing grounds over the past seven years.
Climate change is another major factor, with rising sea temperatures and shifting ocean currents disrupting tuna migration and making traditional fishing grounds less productive.
Additionally, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing threatens Indonesian waters. Unmonitored foreign vessels extract excessive amounts of tuna, undermining conservation efforts.
Weak law enforcement exacerbates the issue, as regulations lack adequate oversight and penalties to deter illegal activities.
Key Causes Behind the Decline
Several critical factors contribute to the declining tuna population in Indonesia:
- Overfishing: High demand drives excessive fishing beyond sustainable levels.
- Climate Change: Rising ocean temperatures disrupt tuna spawning patterns and migration routes.
- Illegal Fishing: Unregulated and foreign vessels contribute to excessive extraction.
- Weak Law Enforcement: Poor monitoring allows for continued overfishing and illegal practices.
- Habitat Degradation: Pollution and coral reef destruction impact the marine food chain.
Lessons from Pole-and-Line Tuna Fishing
Pole-and-line fishing, once a dominant and sustainable method, has declined due to:
- Economic Challenges: High operational costs, competition from industrial fishing, and low market prices.
- Environmental Constraints: Reduced baitfish availability and shifts in tuna migration.
- Policy Issues: Lack of government support, weak enforcement of sustainability initiatives, and increased IUU fishing.
- Labor Challenges: Declining interest among young fishers and an aging workforce.
Without targeted intervention, such as subsidies and improved market incentives, this sustainable method may continue to decline in favor of industrial alternatives.
Insights and Future Implications
The combination of human-made and environmental factors places significant pressure on Indonesia’s tuna stocks. Stronger enforcement of fishing quotas and vessel monitoring is essential to curb overfishing.
Adaptive fisheries management strategies must also be developed to address climate change impacts. Strengthening international cooperation is vital to combat IUU fishing and ensure effective regional conservation efforts.
If left unaddressed, Indonesia risks long-term depletion of its tuna stocks, with dire consequences for both marine biodiversity and fishing communities. However, with decisive action, tuna populations could recover, ensuring ecological balance and economic stability.
Recommendations for Sustainable Management
To mitigate these challenges, Indonesia must take proactive steps:
- Stronger Law Enforcement: Enhance vessel monitoring and impose stricter penalties on illegal fishing.
- Sustainable Quotas: Implement science-based catch limits.
- Climate Adaptation Strategies: Research tuna migration patterns and adjust fishing practices.
- Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Expand conservation zones for tuna breeding grounds.
- International Cooperation: Strengthen agreements to combat IUU fishing.
- Fishermen Education Programs: Provide training on sustainable fishing and alternative livelihoods.
Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability
Indonesia must continuously review and validate fisheries policies, comparing findings with global tuna stock assessments.
Collaboration with marine biologists, economists, and policymakers will be essential in refining conservation efforts.
By addressing these challenges holistically, Indonesia can pave the way for sustainable tuna fisheries, safeguarding marine ecosystems while ensuring long-term economic viability for its fishing communities.
