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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's inland fisheries boast high biodiversity and serve as a livelihood source for millions. However, freshwater ecosystems—the backbone of this sector—face serious threats due to overexploitation, environmental degradation, and climate change, according to a press release received by Tempo on February 27, 2025.
Addressing these challenges, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) and with funding support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), initiated the IFish project—Indonesia’s largest inland fisheries program running from 2017 to 2024.
Over seven years, IFish successfully developed 15 national and regional policies, governing more than 11,800 square kilometers of critical freshwater ecosystems across Java, Kalimantan, and Sumatra. The project introduced community-based management models in five demonstration sites, focusing on high-value target species: eel in Java (Cilacap and Sukabumi), arowana and beje fisheries in Kalimantan (South Barito and Kapuas), and belida fish in Sumatra (Kampar).
Scientific Approach, Local Wisdom, and Multi-Sector Collaboration
IFish integrates science with on-the-ground practices to deliver real-world solutions. The program developed community-based monitoring systems to improve fisheries data accuracy and initiated multi-sector forums involving local governments, academics, NGOs, community groups, and the private sector in decision-making.
Community-based approaches have been key to the project’s success. More than 10,500 local community members received training in sustainable aquaculture, biodiversity monitoring, and post-harvest processing. The project also led to the establishment of national competency standards for the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) for inland waters, arowana aquaculture, and eel management and utilization. One notable achievement is the official recognition of the traditional fisheries management system Lubuk Larangan in Kampar Regency, Riau, which enforces no-catch zones to protect fish stocks.
Head of MMAF’s BPPSDM, I Nyoman Radiarta, emphasized the importance of collaborative approaches. "Indonesia’s inland fisheries are a resource that must be managed wisely. IFish has demonstrated that active community involvement and science-based approaches can lead to more sustainable management. Moving forward, we will continue strengthening cross-sector synergy to expand the benefits of this project to other regions," he stated.
Real Impact: Restocking, Fish Passage Development, and Women’s Empowerment
One of IFish’s tangible contributions to freshwater ecosystem sustainability is its commitment to releasing 2.5% of farmed eel production into public waters. In 2024, 20 kilograms of farmed eel were released at Cijalu Dam, Cilacap, to help maintain the species' population balance in its natural habitat.
The project also pioneered Indonesia’s first sustainable fish passage in West Java, designed to protect migratory fish species like eels from extinction risks. This initiative has been adopted into provincial river infrastructure projects and integrated into national irrigation development standards. Moreover, IFish successfully encouraged the private sector to contribute to fishway construction, as seen in the Kertamukti Micro-hydro Power Plant (PLTM) development on the Citatih River, Sukabumi.
Additionally, the project promoted a zero-waste approach in fisheries, empowering women’s groups to process eels into value-added products for local nutrition programs aimed at reducing stunting rates in West Java.
FAO Representative in Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Rajendra Aryal, highlighted IFish’s global relevance. "We have proven that biodiversity conservation and economic growth can go hand in hand. By fostering community engagement and cross-sector collaboration, IFish is not just a pilot project for Indonesia—it is a model for the world," he affirmed.
The Future of Indonesia’s Inland Fisheries
With the conclusion of the IFish project, FAO and KKP hope that the best practices and policies developed will be replicated across other regions in Indonesia. A project dissemination event in Jakarta has provided momentum for the government, academia, NGOs, and the private sector to scale up conservation efforts.
Earlier, the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, stressed the national priority of inland fisheries sustainability.
"Inland fisheries are not just about production; they are about maintaining ecosystem balance and sustaining livelihoods. IFish has demonstrated that science-based management, innovation, and local wisdom can be effective solutions. We will continue advocating policies that support sustainable and competitive inland fisheries," he said.
IFish has proven that with the right science-based approach, community involvement, and strong policies, Indonesia’s inland fisheries can remain sustainable, productive, and beneficial for future generations.
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