PELAKITA.ID – On the opening day of the Annual Meeting of the Fisheries Management Units (UPP) for Fisheries Management Areas (WPPNRI) 713, 714, and 715, held at Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas), Chairman of the National Commission on Fish Stock Assessment (Komnas Kajiskan), Prof. Dr. Ir. Indra Jaya, M.Sc, delivered a keynote address highlighting the critical role of allocation and quotas in sustainable fisheries management, (Wednesday, 16 July 2025)
The professor from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science at IPB University emphasized that allocation is not merely a regulatory tool but a core element of rights-based and sustainable fisheries governance.
“Allocation is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of fisheries management institutions. Without allocation, conservation mandates are difficult to achieve, and resource sustainability becomes severely compromised,” stated Prof. Indra.
As a leading figure in marine instrumentation, he underscored that certainty and transparency in the allocation approach are prerequisites for the effective implementation of rights-based management. Quoting Scott (1996) and Arnason (2006), Prof. Indra stressed that legitimacy in allocation policy depends heavily on clarity and openness in the decision-making process.
Understanding Allocation and Its Forms
Drawing on the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Prof. Indra explained that fisheries allocation refers to the direct and deliberate distribution of access opportunities among clearly identifiable user groups or individuals.
“This means fishery resources can be allocated to communities, cooperatives, or individual fishers,” he said. Fishing rights, he added, can take several forms Spatial rights (access to specific areas), temporal rights (fishing during certain periods), combined space-time rights, catch quotas, and effort-based rights (number of trips or gear usage).
Principles Behind Quota Distribution
Prof. Indra outlined several principles that must guide quota distribution.
Equity – Quotas should ensure fair access by considering development aspirations, employment, food security, and community dependence on fish stocks. He noted the importance of recognizing those without historical catches (historical catch or HC) and accommodating small-scale fishers.
Citizenship and Responsibility – Allocation must reflect each user’s social and ecological contributions, including compliance with conservation efforts, data reporting (such as logbooks), and the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Legitimacy and Historical Ties – Credible allocation policies must factor in historical data, particularly previous catch levels and capacity. “Typically, this is calculated from an average of the past five to ten years,” he explained.
Fishing Responsibility – Rights to fish must go hand-in-hand with obligations, particularly in reporting and data collection, ensuring full accountability in fisheries governance.
Mechanisms for Determining and Distributing Quotas
Prof. Indra further detailed the structured approach to quota determination and distribution
First, the total allowable catch (TAC) is set based on fish stock potential and sustainable catch levels, considering stock health and utilization rates.
Second, quotas are distributed among different actors, including local fishers, fishing industries, and research institutions involved in fisheries management.
Third, stakeholder engagement is essential in the allocation process to ensure legitimacy and collective buy-in.
Fourth, the implementation of quotas should be phased over time—typically over two to three years—and applied to specific WPPs based on management readiness.
Fifth, the system must include incentives and disincentives—adjusting quotas upward or downward based on past compliance and performance.
Prof. Indra’s presentation marked a significant step forward in Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to implement evidence-based, participatory, and rights-oriented fisheries management.
His call for clear allocation mechanisms aims to strengthen the nation’s fisheries governance framework, ensuring long-term sustainability and equity for all stakeholders.
Written by K. Azis