PELAKITA.ID – Indonesia’s blue swimming crab (BSC) fishery plays a crucial role in the national economy, particularly as a key export commodity to the United States.
However, this industry faces numerous challenges, from sustainability issues and regulatory complexities to the welfare of small-scale fishers.
This article is a synthesis of a presentation by Irham Rapy, Coordinator of Sustainable Fisheries Management Collaboration at a Knowledge Sharing Session organized by Pelakita.ID in partnership with the Unhas Marine Science Alumni Association (ISLA Unhas) on Friday, March 7, 2025.
The Dynamics of Indonesia’s Blue Swimming Crab Fishery
According to Irham, blue swimming crab is one of Indonesia’s top export commodities, ranking fourth in volume and third in export value.
A significant portion (85-90%) of the country’s production is exported to the U.S., making Indonesia the largest supplier of blue swimming crab to the American market, accounting for approximately 44% of total U.S. imports—outpacing China and the Philippines.
“Despite its dominance in the global market, the blue swimming crab industry experiences fluctuations due to varying demand in the U.S., where crab is consumed primarily in restaurants and special events rather than as a staple food. This causes crab prices to remain high,” said Irham.
Additionally, Irham highlighted that most blue swimming crab production in Indonesia comes from small-scale fisheries.
“There are approximately 90,000 fishers using boats under 5 GT, 130,000 crab pickers (the majority of whom are women), and 550 mini-processing plants spread across Indonesia,” he explained.
“With a complex supply chain and limited infrastructure, ensuring both quality and sustainability in the crab fishery is a significant challenge,” he added.
Challenges in the Blue Swimming Crab Industry
“One of the biggest challenges in the blue swimming crab industry is the lack of accurate documentation and fisheries data,” Irham pointed out.
He explained that many fishing boats are not officially registered because blue swimming crab landings do not take place at official ports. This makes it difficult to monitor fishing areas and increases the risk of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.
According to a 2021 report by the United States International Trade Commission, approximately 15.4% of Indonesian seafood exports to the U.S. come from IUU fishing.
“This has prompted industry players and importers to demand greater transparency in the blue swimming crab supply chain,” he noted.
Moreover, Irham stated that sustainability standards such as Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification present another challenge for small-scale fishers due to the time and financial resources required.
“This is why the Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) was introduced as a stepping stone for small-scale fisheries aiming for international certification,” he added.
Sustainability Efforts: A Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
To address these challenges, various stakeholders have implemented strategic initiatives:
Market and Regulatory Approaches Organizations like Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) leverage market forces to drive improvements in fisheries management.
With over 30 major industry partners and 150 companies involved in the Supply Chain Round Table, sustainable procurement policies are being implemented to promote responsible fishing practices.
Fisher Empowerment Initiatives Since 2020, a fisher-centered approach has been the primary focus. Key efforts include: Ensuring fishers’ rights to operate under Indonesia’s fisheries regulations,
Strengthening fisher organizations to enhance independence and resilience and encouraging collaboration among various stakeholders to build a more sustainable blue swimming crab industry.
Establishing the National Blue Swimming Crab Fishers Communication Forum (Forkom Nelangsa)
Fishers have taken the initiative to form a communication forum to improve fishery management and decision-making.
“Forkom Nelangsa, which has been active since 2020, serves as a platform for fishers from different provinces such as Lampung, Java, and Sulawesi to engage in discussions,” said Irham.
“One of the key goals of this forum is to assist fishers in registering their boats and gaining access to fisheries data systems. Through training programs, fishers are now able to record their own catch data, which helps estimate stock levels.”
Conservation and Economic Initiatives Some fisher groups have introduced financial management programs to escape debt cycles, while others have implemented conservation practices such as breeding and releasing egg-bearing crabs back into the wild.
From a business perspective, the forum has started forming fisher cooperatives to ensure fairer distribution systems and provide access to health insurance (BPJS Kesehatan) and emergency funds for members.
The Future of Indonesia’s Blue Swimming Crab Industry
The sustainability of Indonesia’s blue swimming crab fishery requires synergy among various stakeholders.
Through collaboration between the government, industry players, NGOs, and fishers, the industry can continue to grow, improve small-scale fishers’ livelihoods, and meet international sustainability standards.
“By promoting responsible market practices, enforcing stricter regulations, and actively involving the fishing community, we can achieve a more just and sustainable future for the blue swimming crab industry,” concluded Irham.
Editor: K. Azis
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Irham Rapy is an alumnus of the Marine Science program at Hasanuddin University, class of 1997, and holds a master’s degree in environmental management from the University of Queensland, Australia. He currently serves as the Fishery Co-Management Coordinator for SFP Indonesia. With over 20 years of experience in coastal and marine resource management, he has been actively involved in sustainable fisheries management programs over the past five years, focusing on species such as blue swimming crab and demersal fish.
