Government

APRI – DJPT KKP : Strengthen Strategic Collaboration to Align with MMPA Policy and Promote Sustainable Blue Swimming Crab Fisheries

Friday, September 26, 2025 — Jakarta – The Indonesian Blue Swimming Crab Association (APRI) held a key audience meeting with the Directorate General of Capture Fisheries (DJPT) at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) to further align efforts related to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and ensure the sustainability of Indonesia’s blue swimming crab (BSC) industry.

The session was attended by APRI’s Chairman, Dr. Ir. Kuncoro Catur Nugroho, M.M., who presented several strategic steps and action plans formulated by APRI’s member companies. These steps are designed to ensure full compliance with environmental standards and international regulations, particularly those concerning the protection of marine mammals.

The Director General of Capture Fisheries, Drs. H. Lotharia Latif, S.H., M.Hum, expressed continued support for BSC as one of Indonesia’s priority fishery commodities. He emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening the sustainability and competitiveness of this vital sector.

During the meeting, both APRI and DJPT reaffirmed their joint commitment to the use of environmentally friendly fishing gear, particularly the transition away from gillnets and trammel nets toward crab traps (bubu), which are safer for marine mammals.

A field team will soon be deployed to assist in drafting regulatory frameworks to support the legal prohibition of destructive fishing gear. In addition, a decision on the competent authority responsible for signing the Certificate of Admissibility (CoA)—a key document for compliance with the U.S. MMPA—is expected to be finalized soon.

This action plan builds upon the outcomes of the September 12, 2025 meeting between APRI member CEOs and the Directorate General of PDSPKP, which led to the issuance of Circular Letter No. B.3004/DJPDSPKP/PDS.320/IX/2025 dated September 17, 2025, signed by Mr. Tornanda Syaifullah, S.E., M.M., Ak., CSFA, Director General of PDSPKP.

These coordinated efforts highlight the Indonesian government’s and APRI’s proactive approach to maintaining access to global markets, particularly the United States, while protecting marine ecosystems and supporting small-scale fishers.