To conclude the current run of the “Rajungan untuk Masyarakat Sejahtera” (JUARA) media campaign in Indonesia, CTC held an online short course for national media on November 13, 2021. The JUARA activity series have so far been attractive to both local and national media in mainstreaming the key narrative on the importance of sustainable blue swimming crab (BSC) fisheries practices in Indonesia to preserve its economic value and natural stock protection for the long run.
Several national media organisations, such as KOMPAS, Investor Daily Indonesia and Mongabay, enthusiastically attended the JUARA Media Short Course. CTC and Terra Komunika co-facilitated in collaboration with resource persons from the Directorate General of Capture Fisheries of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (DGCF MMAF) Indonesia, the Department of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (DKP) Lampung Province, the Head of Communication Forum of BSC Fishermen in Lampung, the Indonesian Crab Management Association (APRI) and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).
Through presentations and engagement in interactive discussions with all speakers, participants said that they had received sufficient information about the current state of BSC fisheries in Indonesia, as well as some key messages on collaborative efforts made by multiple stakeholders to promote and protect this invaluable species. By having great media exposure, it is hoped that the harmonization of BSC-related policies and regulations between central and regional governments, as well as good compliance among small-scale fishers and private sectors, can be well-maintained.
Since 2018, CTC and other key organizations have contributed positively to institutional capacity-building at the provincial level, particularly in Lampung. CTC has trained personnel of the Sustainable BSC Fisheries Management Committee (KPPRB) and local woman fishers in the Kuala Teladas and Sungai Burung Villages of Tulang Bawang District to increase their skills and knowledge, as well as improving their existing small and home-based enterprises.
“Women will become our new local champions and motivators who can accelerate the behavioural change in the community. Their voices, along with other male fishers, need to be heard by the media so that they can be passed on to the government and policy makers at higher levels,” said Executive Director of CTC, Rili Djohani.
According to data recorded by the MMAF Indonesia, the total value of BSC export during the first quarter of 2021 reached USD 150.86 million, or 8.64% of the overall Indonesian fishery exports. This figure is 4.15% higher than the average export value of a similar period the previous year. BSC is in the Indonesian top five fishery export commodities after shrimp, tuna and squid. According to APRI, more than 80% of Indonesian BSC products are exported to the United States.
Furthermore, the MMAF has also acknowledged the crucial role of BSC capture fisheries as the main source of livelihood for 90,000 fishermen and 185,000 pickers – mostly women, who work in various local plants and processing units. In general, the BSC capture fisheries in Indonesia are concentrated in the Indonesian Fisheries Management Area (WPP) of 712 which includes the Java Sea with a potential catch of approximately 23,000 tons per year.
CTC expects to consistently mainstream narratives of sustainable BSC capture fisheries through various media. Therefore, more communities and relevant stakeholders will be aware of the importance of keeping the socio-economic value of BSC, improving law enforcement, and protecting marine ecosystems to safeguard the BSC stocks from extinction. In the coming years, CTC also plans to continue running the JUARA media campaign in other provinces in Indonesia such as West Java and East Java to promote more success stories about BSC management at various levels. (*)

Photo by Yoga Putra