Buffalo crab is one of the leading commodities originating from Kei Kecil Island, Southeast Maluku. The average weight of up to 2 kg per tail makes this mangrove crab has thick meat and is in demand by many seafood enthusiasts. The Marine and Fisheries Service (DKP) of Maluku Province and WWF Indonesia Foundation have initiated a mangrove crab fishery improvement program in Kei Kecil Island since 2016.

The meeting, which was held online and offline, was attended by DKP Maluku Province, Southeast Maluku Regency Fisheries Service, Maluku Province Bappeda, PSDKP Tual, Kelutan and Fisheries Service Branch of Island Cluster VIII, Pattimura University, Politeknik Negeri Perikanan Tual, LC EAFM UNPATTI, fishermen representatives, representatives of traditional leaders, and village officials. Participants of the activity were representatives of stakeholders related to mangrove crab management in Kei Kecil Island, Southeast Maluku Regency.

In his remarks at the Pokja meeting, the Head of DKP Maluku Province, Dr. Abdul Haris, S.Pi, M.Si said that one form of support from DKP Maluku Province is to actively participate in discussions with stakeholders in mangrove crab management in Southeast Maluku. He also appealed to the participants who are members of the Working Group to jointly accelerate the process of improving this fishery.

"Of course we from the Maluku Provincial DKP will continue to support this fisheries improvement program so that mangrove crab management in Ohoi / Evu Village becomes a pilot for mangrove crab fisheries in other Maluku regions, especially Southeast Maluku, to maintain quality and adhere to the principles of sustainable fisheries," he added.

In this activity, Viktor Nikijuluw from Conservation International Indonesia also explained about the Indonesian Ocean Health Index (IKLI) about indicators on the status of Indonesia's ocean health in a certain geographical area and at a certain time. Indonesia has an IKLI value of 65 which means that Indonesia's marine health policies and actions are still not very good where the maximum value of IKLI is 100. Viktor also said to preserve the values of local wisdom in the implementation of this fisheries program.