Fisheries

Interviewing Blue Swimming Crab Fishers: Insights into MMPA Awareness and Sustainable Practices

une–July 2025 – As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability and compliance with international standards, the Indonesian Blue Swimming Crab Association (APRI) conducted interviews with blue swimming crab (BSC) fishers across key landing sites in Indonesia to gather firsthand insights into awareness of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and other sustainable fishing practices.

The field interviews took place in several major BSC-producing regions, including Medan, Lampung, Cirebon, Rembang, Gresik, Pamekasan, and Tanjung Pinang — all of which are strategic locations for APRI’s traceability and data collection initiatives.

These direct conversations with fishers offered valuable perspectives from the front lines of the fishing industry, shedding light on:

Local knowledge and understanding of marine mammal protection regulations;

Current fishing practices and potential risks to marine mammals;

The use of selective and environmentally friendly gear such as bubu traps;

Fishers’ willingness to adopt further mitigation measures to align with MMPA requirements.

This initiative is part of APRI’s broader strategy to support U.S. market compliance and enhance sustainability within Indonesia’s BSC supply chain. By engaging directly with fishers, APRI ensures that education, monitoring, and support are grounded in real-life challenges and local contexts.

The results of these interviews will contribute to the development of more targeted outreach programs, training materials, and collaborative solutions to reduce bycatch risks and protect marine biodiversity