2025

Batam Exports Millions of Mangrove Crabs, Mangroves Must Be Preserved

(March 15th, 2025) The Riau Islands Quarantine Agency (Kepri) again facilitated the export of a superior commodity, mangrove crabs (live crab/Scylla serrata). This export was sent through the Sagulung Service Post and the Belakang Padang Service Post, Telaga Punggur Port Service Unit, Riau Islands Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine Center with the destination of China.

A total of 2,800 mangrove crabs will be exported in two shipments with a value of Rp131 million. Thousands of crabs come not only from Batam, but also from fishermen in Natuna, Lingga, and other islands around the Riau Islands.

Herwintarti, Head of Quarantine of Riau Islands, said that the export of mangrove crabs in Batam is in accordance and refers to the regulation, namely Permen. KP No. 7/2024 concerning the Management of Lobsters (Panulirus spp.), Crabs (Scylla spp.) and Crabs (Portunus spp.).

MoE Hopes for Carbon Capture Innovation Using BRIN's Microalgae

(March 10th, 2025) Deputy Environment Minister Diaz Hendropriyono said the Carbon Capture Utilization Storage (CCUS) technology developed by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) can help Indonesia achieve its greenhouse gas emission reduction target. This was conveyed during the signing of a cooperation agreement between BRIN and PT Alam Semesta Integra (ASI) for the development of microalgae photobioreactors and renewable energy.

“From our side, of course, we really appreciate and welcome this MoU, this cooperation, because Indonesia also has a commitment to reduce emissions,” he said when met at the BJ Habibie BRIN Building, Jakarta, Monday, March 10, 2025.

KKP hopes KIOTEC will create skilled workers in the marine sector

(February 24th, 2025) The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) hopes that the presence of the Korea-Indonesia Integrated Ocean and Technology Training Center (KIOTEC), a cooperation between Indonesia and Korea, can produce skilled workers in the marine and fisheries sector.

Head of the Marine and Fisheries Human Resources Development and Extension Agency (BPPSDM KP) of KKP I Nyoman Radiarta said that it is important to create skilled human resources in order to contribute to the marine and fisheries sector.

“This initiative (inauguration of KIOTEC) will help create a skilled workforce that has the knowledge to contribute to Indonesia's marine and fisheries sector,” Nyoman said on the sidelines of attending the Inauguration of KIOTEC Ancol in Jakarta, Monday.

Community Involvement Needed in Building Fish Passages 

(February 24th, 2025) Fish passages are designed to facilitate fish migration across river crossings, such as dams or other obstructions. However, Head of the Research Center for Marine Resources Conservation and Inland Waters of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Arif Wibowo said the construction of fish passages in Indonesia lacks community involvement.

“In fact, the community is very important in maintaining fish passes. So, we need social research to improve people's perception of the importance of this fish pass,” said Arif, at a training entitled Social Research Training for Fish Conservation Scientists, at the B.J Habibie Building, Jakarta, Monday (24/2).

MMAF adds 2 Blue Ocean Conservancies to boost blue economy

(February 12th, 2025) The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has established two new conservation areas in the waters of Bintan II, Riau Islands Province, and Bitung City, North Sulawesi Province.  Director General of Marine Management and Marine Spaces of KKP Victor Gustaaf Manoppo said the establishment of the two conservation areas was contained in the Decree of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Number 87 and 88 of 2024. 

This is in line with the 2nd Asta Cita which emphasizes the importance of environmental sustainability as part of blue economy development. “Conservation areas play an important role in maintaining marine ecosystems including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests while supporting sustainable fisheries and tourism,” he said in an official statement, Wednesday (12/2/2025).  

5 Facts about Tangerang Sea Fence, What is the Legal Process? 

(February 5th, 2025) January 2025, the issue of a sea fence in the waters of Tangerang Regency, Banten shocked the public. Social media has been busy discussing it, starting from how the certificate of use rights and property rights exist in the waters of Tangerang Regency, when the sea fence was built, and who is behind the illegal sea fence construction permit. But what are the problems to date

The sea fence stretches for 30.16 kilometers in the waters of Tangerang Regency, Banten. Researchers from Gadjah Mada University stated that the row of bamboo fences has existed since May 2024 and is outside the coastline or ocean. If stretched, this fence is as long as the route from Monas to Soekarno-Hatta Airport. 

UB Professor Initiates AI-Based Marine Governance

(January 31st, 2025) Professor of Brawijaya University (UB), Prof. Aida Sartimbul initiated “AI for Dynamics-ecosystem Analiys from UB” (AIDA UB), as a marine ecosystem governance model that prioritizes a holistic approach. The idea was born from the impact of fishing activities on the sustainability of marine ecosystems. 

“AIDA UB integrates ecosystem data in a complex manner which is an interaction between resources (sea) and fishing activities (fish),” said Prof. Aida, quoted from Antara, Thursday (30/1)

The AIDA method that she initiated integrates aspects of marine ecosystem dynamics, through the approach of envirovemental DNA (eDNA) technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation. “The induction of AI technology helps constraints in the acquisition, storage and analysis of big data, such as eDNA,” he said.

Indonesia's Marine Health Index Drops, Several Factors Are Triggers

(January 14th, 2025) Indonesia's Ocean Health Index (OHI) currently ranks 189 out of 220 regions. Indonesia's overall Ocean Health Index score is 61 out of 100, lower than the global average score of 69.

The Indonesian Coastal Student and Youth Union (KPPMPI), urges efforts to make Indonesia's seas healthy again. “The global ocean health index (OHI) dropped from 73 to 69, Indonesia's OHI itself dropped from 69 to 61, from 152nd to 189th out of 220. Of the 11 indicators, the lowest is the indicator of the sea as tourism and recreation with a score of 9,” said KPPMPI Chairman Hendra Wiguna, in his statement, Tuesday (14/1/2025).

Hendra said the indicator shows that the utilization of coastal and marine areas as tourist destinations has not prioritized ecosystem sustainability. Meanwhile, Indonesia's score in the sea as a food source indicator is only 25.

KKP Prepares Strategy to Achieve Salt Self-Sufficiency by 2027

(January 4th, 2025) Entering 2025, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is preparing strategic steps towards achieving national salt self-sufficiency. Technological support, increased production capacity, and sustainable resource management make KKP optimistic that it can achieve the target.

“Our people's salt production already has good quality, we can compete with other countries, so in the future there will be no need for imports,” said Director General of Marine and Spatial Management Victor Gustaaf in an official release from the MMAF in Jakarta, Saturday (4/1).

As a first step towards self-sufficiency, the government has decided not to import consumption salt in 2025. The national salt raw material requirement in 2024 and 2025 is 4.9 million tons and is assumed to increase by 2.5% per year due to population growth and industrial sector growth.