In addition to having high economic value, blue swimming crabs (BSC) fisheries is a very important source of income for most small fishermen in Central Java province. The establishment of the BSC Committee at the provincial level is pivotal to developing the next 5-year BSC Management Action Plan in the province and effectively communicating relevant BSC management policies to its members including BSC fishermen. Additionally, the expansion of BSC Committee membership for the next five years also suggests the need for the BSC Committee to attain conflict management to ensure the successful implementation of the BSC Management Action Plan in the province.

In 2023, the (BSC) Committee was established to serve for the period of 2023-2028 with the overall goal of helping boost the BSC fisheries sector in the province. Two existing regulations supporting the BSC Committee are the Central Java Governor Decree Number 523.1/31 of 2023 on Management Committee Central Java Province Crab Fishery for 2023 – 2028 and the Decree of the Head of Service Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of Central Java Province Number 523.2/6105 of 2023 that regulates the appointment of the Technical Team for the Working Group of the Provincial Crab Fisheries Management Committee Central Java 2023 – 2028. 

Unlike previously, the Committee’s membership for 2023-2028 period is quite distinctive with the involvement of the BSC Fishermen Communication Forum. Through the Communication Forum, BSC fishermen can be directly involved in actively conveying information and aspirations as well as participating directly in the process of determining sustainable BSC management policies.

Yet, undertaking its role is not without its own challenges for the BSC Committee. These include how to effectively communicate government regulations to the public including the Action Plan for BSC Fisheries Management in Central Java for 2023–2028. Additionally, managing conflict among BSC stakeholders including community groups was also seen as crucial by the BSC Committee. 

In March 2024, CTC, DKP Central Java, and Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) discussed and identified training topics needed by the Committee. As a result, training on policy communications and conflict management was delivered from May 13-16, 2024, attended by 27 representatives from the Secretariat Team, working groups (Pokja) members, and Fisheries Extension Officers (FEO) from several cities/districts in Central Java.

In his opening remarks, the Acting Head of DKP Central Java Province Ir. Lilik Harnadi, M.Si., M.Sc acknowledged the support of partners such as CTC and SFP to the BSC Committee in Central Java. 

The topic of policy communication teaches participants about its two core aspects. First, how to understand the essence of a law or regulation. Second, how to translate regulations or policies into narratives that are easier to understand by those to whom the regulations or policies are socialized. These are carried out through presentations by trainers and participants working in groups referring to Government Regulation Number 11 of 2023 on Measured Fishing as a case study.

They learned how to identify and manage potential conflicts in a special setting like a (stakeholder) meeting. Specifically, to understand the various types of conflict, approaches to handling them, and the basic principles of conflict resolution. Furthermore, participants learned how to identify stakeholders and prepare meetings. Participants then practiced roleplaying in a multi-party meeting where each party has its own interests and consequent potential to cause conflict. At the end of the session, the trainer reviews the sessions and the participants’ handling of conflict.

Apart from learning about policy formulation and conflict management, participants also learned about communication techniques including techniques of asking questions and building dialogue and Social Style Theory. This material enriches participants’ knowledge and skills to build more effective communication in multi-stakeholder committees.

The training went very well as expected, indicated by, among other things, the increased knowledge of participants shown by both the pre-test and post-test results. In addition, the post-training survey suggests that 54.2% and 45.8% of participants were highly satisfied and satisfied with the training, respectively.

In general, the participants expressed that the training increased their knowledge in understanding and conveying laws and regulations to the community and being capable of identifying, analyzing, and managing conflicts that occur in the community, especially among fishermen.

Further positive feedback from the participants were that the training was carried out using learning methods that are easy to understand; the presenter was very accommodative in facilitating discussions about policies and problems faced in the field; and the use of ice breakers or games sessions when presenting training materials.

Additionally, participants also provide constructive feedback for the upcoming training, such as allocating more time for each training material, distributing them prior to the event, and the need for follow-up training. 

Since expanding its support to Central Java province, CTC has worked with the local government at the provincial and district levels to create and strengthen enabling conditions for BSC fisheries. Supporting regulations are already in place, complemented by a training and capacity-building program for local women trainers in both target and non-target villages of Central Java. 

Strengthening the role of the BSC Committee has become equally important to ensure the successful implementation of the Action Plan for Management of BSC Fisheries in the province of Central Java for 2023 – 2028 and to inform BSC management planning at the national level.

Writers: Olivia Sope, Wienda Ardiyani, Silvianita Timotius
Photos: Wienda Ardiyani/CTC