By: Adella Adiningtyas (Marine & Fishery Campaign and Social Media Assistant)

Destructive fishing practices are often carried out by those who are not responsible for reaping a lot of profits. The use of environmentally unfriendly fishing gear, such as trawls, bombs or cyanide poisoning is a shortcut in the practice of environmentally unfriendly fisheries. This method will have a negative impact on the marine ecosystem and also the content in the fish. As the issue of the declining condition of fisheries becomes more widespread, the Marine Buddies Makassar Community held an interactive talk show #BuyWhat'sGood for Responsible Seafood.

Together with Dr. Rijal, a lecturer at the Faculty of Marine Science, Hassanudin University, and M. Yusuf, National Coordinator for Fisheries Research WWF-Indonesia, the #BeliYangBaik Sustainable Seafood Talkshow was lively. Attended by 53 participants from various communities of nature lovers in Makassar, marine and fisheries students and media participated in the celebration of World Ocean Day and Coral Triangle Day which fell on June 8-9. Not a few of the participants asked about the need for responsible fisheries practices that correlate with the current condition of ecosystems and marine biota.

"The shrinking body size of fish is one of the impacts that occur due to overfishing. The population of marine resources that has continued to decline by 50% since 1970 is an important reason why we must practice good fisheries from now on." M. Yusuf explained to the participants present.

"Recognize, Protect and Monitor the Ecosystem and Marine Biota" with #BeliYangBaik
#BeliYangBaik as a forum to invite the public to become smart consumers was also conveyed by Dr. Rijal, "Like what Mr. Yusuf said, if we have critically asked before buying the fish we are going to eat, then we have become smart consumers to #BeliYangBaik."

#BeliYangBaik can be started with 3 simple steps, namely recognizing, asking and inviting. This is in line with the theme presented by the Marine Buddies Makassar Community in its activities, namely "Recognize, Protect and Monitor Marine Ecosystems and Biota". The talk show, a collaboration between the Marine Buddies Makassar Community and Earth Hour Makassar and Makassar Gardening, was also held to introduce fish that are safe for consumption with an explanation of how to protect the marine ecosystem from damage and extinction.

This activity is expected to make the participants who attended more encouraged to recognize and know the origin of the seafood they consume so that they can take an active role in maintaining, preserving and ensuring the survival of Indonesia's marine ecosystems to remain healthy.

Visit www.wwf.or.id/seafoodguide/ and download the app on android!