May 29, 2013

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Indonesia have entered into a three year Memorandum of Agreement on the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

Under the agreement, specific arrangements will be made to increase cooperation in a number of areas including sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development, marine conservation and the prevention, deterrence and elimination of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The agreement also covers capacity building, education and training, research and the exchange of experts - including through the South-South cooperation - as well as food safety. As a developing nation in pursuit of sustained economic growth, Indonesia is a key player in the cooperation. The country is also a member of the G20 group.

In 2011, Indonesia's fishery production totalled some 8.4 million tonnes, of which inland and marine catch accounted for about 5.7 million tonnes and aquaculture for 2.7 million tonnes. About 95% of the country's fishery production comes from artisanal fishermen.

In 2011, over six million people were engaged in inland and marine fishing and fish farming. The marine fishing fleet comprised 581,845 vessels. About 54% of Indonesia's animal protein supply comes from fish and seafood. Per capita annual consumption has almost tripled from an average of 10.2 kilogrammes in the 1970s to 27.3 kilogrammes in 2010.

In 2012, the total value of Indonesia's fisheries exports was US$3.6 billion. The fishing industry accounted for 21% of Indonesia's agricultural economy and 3% of national gross domestic product (GDP).