Bingkai Karya – The Indonesian Seas Large Marine Ecosystem (ISLME) program, initiated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), was launched in 2019. The five-year program was originally scheduled to end in 2023, but was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the challenges, Indonesia and FAO worked together to continue the program and deliver benefits to the marine and fisheries sector. After five years, the program was officially concluded on January 16, 2024.
The ISLME program has been extended with a Strategic Action Plan (SAP), which will provide technical implementation of the program’s objectives. The SAP will be implemented in both Indonesia and Timor-Leste, as both countries have waters within the ISLME.
The ultimate goal of the SAP is to create a more sustainable marine environment with healthy fish stocks. The program will focus on the following areas:
- Improving the management of fisheries resources
- Protecting marine ecosystems
- Building capacity for sustainable management
The SAP will be implemented over a period of five years, with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The program is expected to have a significant impact on the sustainability of marine resources in the Indonesian Seas.
The ISLME program has made a number of key achievements, including:
- Developing a regional strategic framework for the sustainable management of the Indonesian Seas
- Strengthening the capacity of national and local governments to manage fisheries resources
- Supporting the development of sustainable fisheries practices
- Raising awareness of the importance of the Indonesian Seas
The program has also helped to address a number of challenges facing the Indonesian Seas, including:
- Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing
- Degradation of marine ecosystems
- Climate change
The ISLME program has been a valuable initiative that has helped to protect the marine resources of the Indonesian Seas. The SAP will build on the program’s successes and help to ensure the sustainability of these important resources for future generations.
Source: Mongabay
