By: Dwi Ariyogagautama (Bycatch and Sharks Conservation Coordinator, WWF-Indonesia)

As with many roads to Rome, there are many ways to realize sustainable fisheries in Indonesia. One of them is through the development of environmentally friendly fisheries technology innovations.

For example, the kort nozzle - a type of propeller vessel that can increase fuel use efficiency up to 22.42%. In addition to saving operational costs, it is also more environmentally friendly because it is efficient in energy use. With technology, we can minimize the impact of marine pollution in fishing operations.

There's more, the tuna jacket - a post-capture fish handling aid with tuna hand line (hand line) fishing gear. It is attached when the hook on the hand line is eaten by the tuna, to reduce the movement of the fish, thereby speeding up the fishing process and improving the quality of the caught fish.

In total, there were 16 fishery technology innovations socialized by the Center for Fishing (BBPI) in the Environmentally Friendly Fishing Gear Technology Title (5-6/09) in Semarang, Central Java. The annual event is a collaboration of BBPI Semarang supported by WWF-Indonesia and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Selective Fishing Gear: Productive and Environmentally Friendly Criteria

Fisheries technology development does not always aim to increase catch productivity alone. The development of fishing gear technology also needs to be more selective to reduce the capture of ETP marine biota such as sea turtles, sharks, mobulid rays, and marine mammals.

For example, there are modifications to the purse seine fishing gear (API) which is currently becoming more productive for waring-type purse seine vessels that catch pelagic fish on the North Coast of Java. Unfortunately, modifications to the mesh size (mess size) continue to shrink, threatening the sustainability of fisheries stocks in Indonesia.

Therefore, technology development must still be standardized and remain in the corridor of sustainable fisheries.

Success Story of LED Lights: Environmentally Friendly Technology Saves Sea Turtle Population in Paloh, West Kalimantan

An example of fishing gear that supports sustainable fisheries is the green LED light technology in fishing nets, to avoid accidentally catching sea turtles. During the Eco-Friendly Fishing Gear Technology Showcase, NOAA, WWF-Indonesia, WWF-Pakistan, Misool Basetfin Foundation, and Manta Watch presented research results on the use of LED light technology in preventing bycatch of protected and endangered marine biota (endangered, threatened, protected/ETP) in gill net fishing gear.

Research on the effectiveness of using LED lights in the nets of fishermen in Paloh, West Kalimantan, has shown a significant reduction in turtle bycatch of 61.4%! Previously, at least 720-1152 sea turtles were caught in pomfret gill nets in Paloh Waters from 2013 - 2017.

The Challenge of Adopting Eco-friendly API Technology

However, even sophisticated technology does not guarantee easy adoption by fisheries actors. There is a cycle of activities that need to be done when developing fisheries technology. Starting from research, innovation engineering, trials, dissemination, to designing and standardizing the materials used. After that, we must again consult with various parties for the adoption process.

This process is also applied in the development of LED technology in preventing bycatch of ETP biota. The challenge of developing ETP biota bycatch mitigation technology is not simple.

When the results of the study are effective, the process that is no less important is the adoption by fisheries actors. The research must at least answer 3 basic components. The technology effectively reduces bycatch of ETP biota, maintains the target catch of fishermen, and does not interfere with fishermen's income.

Another thing is the development of the design or construction of the technology itself. The technology is easy to operate, and the products are easily accessible. The role of the fishing gear industry or other supporting industries determines the replication of this technology to be used in various places.

Therefore, the success of the LED light trial for fishermen also needs to be followed up with a more massive implementation of the technology by more fishermen. The next process is to determine the construction and material standards, while the application and research for other types of ETP is still ongoing.

It is important that more innovators continue to contribute to better fisheries in Indonesia. Hopefully, more research institutions, practitioners, and other parties will continue to innovate in the application of this technology in the corridor of sustainable fisheries.