Bali, 10 October 2023 – Indonesia offered smart and innovative maritime solutions to the archipelagic and island countries by introducing fish cages and fish aggregating devices to Fiji and Madagascar.
According to Deputy for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy Coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment Jodi Mahardi in Nusa Dua, Bali, Tuesday, 10 October 2023, the Indonesian delegation introduced keramba (fish cages) as an innovation in the fisheries sector during the 7th Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum in Fiji last April.
"Fish cages are something common in Indonesia. However, there is not a single fish cage in the Pacific countries," Jodi said after attending the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the AIS Forum in Nusa Dua.
Meanwhile, in the 8th SOM of the AIS Forum in Madagascar held last June, the Indonesian delegation brought fish aggregating devices that can be deployed in shallow and deep waters to assist fishers in catching fish.
Jodi explained that Indonesia aimed to share practical solutions and innovations that have been successful in Indonesia to be adapted and applied in other archipelagic and island countries to address similar issues.
"Many simple things, not rocket science, can be applied in small countries, and communities can be directly involved in their production," Jodi said.
He said the AIS Forum Secretariat would replicate similar solutions and innovations in other countries if deemed successful.
"We will continuously monitor, evaluate, and improve the program periodically. If it is successful, we will replicate it elsewhere, including in Indonesia. So, we are not only focused on developing the blue economy or other marine initiatives in other countries but also in our own country," Jodi explained.
To enhance AIS Forum collaboration, the AIS Forum Secretariat has appointed regional officers in three regions, namely the Pacific, based in Fiji; the Indian Ocean Rim, based in Madagascar; and the Caribbean, based in Barbados.
These regional officers have a duty to gather input on programs and initiatives needed by the community to develop collaborative programs and initiatives in the AIS Forum.
"The nature of the AIS Forum is how we can build from the grassroots community. It is no longer about running programs from the government but creating programs that are needed and can be implemented by the community," Jodi said.
The AIS Forum is a platform for cooperation among archipelagic and island countries aimed at strengthening collaboration to address four global issues: climate change mitigation and adaptation, blue economy, marine plastic debris, and good maritime governance.
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About AIS Forum:
The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is a global platform for cooperation among island and archipelagic states that aims at strengthening collaboration to address global issues with four main areas of focus: climate change mitigation and adaptation, the blue economy, marine plastic debris, and good maritime governance. The 2023 High-Level Meeting of the AIS Forum is organized to reinforce the role of the AIS Forum as a center for smart & innovative solutions and a platform for collaboration in promoting the future agenda of global maritime governance.
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Foto caption: Chair of the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) of the AIS Forum, Deputy for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy Coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment Jodi Mahardi delivers a statement at the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the AIS Forum at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center, Nusa Dua, Badung Regency, Bali, Tuesday 10 October 2023. MEDIA CENTER OF THE 2023 HLM OF THE AIS FORUM/M Agung Rajasa/rwa.