Field Story

PT Sumber Mina Bahari Expands Crab Pot Distribution (Fishing Gear Swap Program) to Rembang

As Indonesia’s blue swimming crab industry continues strengthening sustainability practices, PT Sumber Mina Bahari (PT SMB) has once again taken action by distributing environmentally friendly crab pots (bubu) to fishers in Rembang, one of the company’s active supply chain areas.

This program is part of PT SMB’s long-term commitment to supporting responsible harvesting and ensuring sustainable blue swimming crab fisheries across Indonesia.

Support for Fisher Communities in Rembang

The distribution took place directly in one of PT SMB’s supply chain locations, gathering fishers from multiple coastal villages in the Rembang area. Many of these fishers still rely on gillnets for harvesting blue swimming crabs, and therefore receive direct assistance through the supply of crab pots.

Through this initiative, fishers gain access to more environmentally friendly gear while also receiving information about sustainable harvesting practices and responsible catch handling.

Why Crab Pots Are Recommended

Crab pots are recognized as selective and environmentally friendly fishing gear, which significantly reduces ecosystem impact. The adoption of crab pots helps:

reduce bycatch

avoid marine mammal interaction

protect juvenile stocks

improve traceability

support sustainable harvesting

These advantages make crab pots essential for the long-term continuity of Indonesia’s blue swimming crab industry.

Aligned With NOAA Conservation-Friendly Gear Policy

The program also supports compliance with NOAA export regulations, including the recommendation for Conservation Friendly (CF) crab pots.

Under U.S. market requirements, crab products entering the supply chain must follow sustainability principles and implement fishing gears that reduce negative interactions with marine ecosystems.

This means crab pot adoption is not only beneficial for marine conservation—but also essential for maintaining international market access and export continuity.

Strengthening a Sustainable and Competitive Supply Chain

By supporting gear transformation directly at the harvesting level, PT SMB strengthens the foundation of a responsible blue swimming crab supply chain. This ensures that products entering global markets meet required environmental standards and reflect sustainability commitments across all levels—from fishing to processing and export.

Economic and Long-Term Benefits

The transition to crab pots protects marine resources while enabling fishers to continue earning stable income. Sustainable harvesting ensures that blue swimming crab populations remain productive for future generations of coastal communities, processors, and international markets.

Conclusion

The crab pot distribution activity in Rembang demonstrates PT Sumber Mina Bahari’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, supply chain responsibility, and NOAA-aligned fishing practices.

Through active field implementation, the company strengthens Indonesia’s position as a major producer of responsible and traceable blue swimming crab—while ensuring that this valuable resource remains available for years to come.