PRIORITIES OF INDONESIAN MINISTRY OF MARINE AFFAIRS AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001483 SIPDIS DEPT FOR OES AND EAP COMMERCE FOR NOAA USAID FOR ANE, EGAT BANGKOK FOR RDM/A NSC FOR CEQ CONNAUGHTON, VAN DYKE, KUSKA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID KGHG SENV PGOV ID SUBJECT: PRIORITIES OF INDONESIAN MINISTRY OF MARINE AFFAIRS AND FISHERIES REF: JAKARTA 1289 ¶1. (U) Summary: The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries' (DKP) vision is one of environmentally sustainable coastal resource management and economic development. Its highest priority activities include: fisheries management plans for specific areas; capacity building and training on fisheries enforcement; developing a national action plan for the Coral Triangle Initiative; and technical support for aquaculture development and expansion. DKP expects its leadership of the World Oceans Conference (May 2009) to help reinforce these priorities within the GOI and internationally. DKP will soon begin strategic planning for 2010 and beyond. USG assistance will help DKP meet these objectives and develop its next strategic plan. End Summary. Specific Project Priorities -------------- ¶2. (U) DKP's Directorates are responsible for management of all coastal and marine natural resources. Priorities of each Directorate tend to reflect their area of responsibility, although the Secretary General of DKP encourages collaboration between groups (reftel). Capacity building, training, and educational exchanges focused on DKP strategic priorities are of great interest to DKP managers and staff. New directions include adaptation to climate change and addressing food security issues as a result of recent increases in fuel prices. Highest priority activities include: fisheries management plans for specific areas; capacity building and training on fisheries enforcement; developing a national action plan for the Coral Triangle Initiative; and technical support for aquaculture development and expansion. ¶3. (U) Fisheries management plans for specific areas (for example, North Java): The plans should integrate management of marine protected areas; other recommendations for habitat protection, rehabilitation or artificial reefs; rules for sustainable fisheries that will reduce poverty, including gear and boat specifications; and licensing, surveillance, and enforcement. The plans should identify incentives for small fishermen to comply with best practices and law. The plans must address implementation barriers, including how best to integrate national, provincial, and local government interests and responsibilities. ¶4. (U) Capacity building and training on fisheries enforcement, including pollution/marine resource surveillance and destructive fishing investigations, including calculating the economic losses: This would strengthen enforcement programs in key areas, particularly in the Sulu Sulawesi, South China, and Arafura Seas, by building on traditional fisheries management practices (using community-based surveillance and customary law). A preliminary focus could be placed on destructive practices in capturing shrimp and skipjack tuna. ¶5. (U) Coral Triangle initiative activities focus both on supporting the regional (international) secretariat, and on developing a national action plan: A national action plan for the Coral Triangle Initiative is a priority for DKP. The specific form this plan will take is still under discussion and reaching consensus is difficult. Ideas presented so far include an integrated project to manage fisheries, marine protected areas, and provide sustainable alternative livelihoods in coastal and small island areas in an area encompassing southern Sulawesi and East Nusa Tenggara. Alternative proposals include completing comprehensive coastal management plans for the provinces in the Coral Triangle. ¶6. (U) Technical support for aquaculture development and expansion: Seaweed aquaculture holds great promise as a sustainable alternative economic activity in coastal areas and on small islands. To implement this vision, seaweed aquaculture must include partnerships with the private sector to stabilize supply chains, and should include business models that encourage development of diversified economies in small communities. One model that holds promise is a program in South Sulawesi that requires project participants to invest some of their early profits in expanding the technology to other islands. The movement towards requiring certification and documentation of the source of fish products can also increase the value of Indonesian fisheries products. Training JAKARTA 00001483 002 OF 002 and capacity building in aquaculture technologies and approaches appropriate to small coastal communities are particularly useful. Intersection with US Interests -------------- ¶7. (U) The Coral Triangle Initiative is a USG priority, and USAID plans to invest $40 million for regional CTI activities. USAID is providing funding for a team of consultants to conduct an assessment of DKP in August 2008. USAID Jakarta also plans to provide the services of a highly-qualified advisor to work with the Secretary General's office for 1-2 years, as DKP develops its strategic plan for 2010 and beyond. DKP is highly motivated to develop a closer relationship with NOAA under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding that NOAA and DKP signed in 2007. Investing in any of DKP's highest priority activities with a goal of demonstrating sustainable coastal resource management and economic development in small island communities would provide models that could be applied in other developing countries. HUME