Since 2023, IPNLF has been supporting Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) through the Socio-Economic Working Group (SEWG).
SEWG is a collaborative platform established to develop and strengthen social and economic indicators that support the implementation of Indonesia’s Harvest Strategy for tuna fisheries in the country’s archipelagic waters.
The SEWG brings together government agencies, industry associations, NGOs, and research institutions, creating an inclusive space for dialogue and collaboration. Through this forum, stakeholders work collectively to ensure that the Harvest Strategy not only supports ecological sustainability but also safeguards the welfare and resilience of the people behind the fishery, the small-scale fishers and their communities.
Building stronger data for smarter decisions
A key focus of the SEWG is to strengthen data collection and methodology for social and economic aspects of tuna fisheries. Reliable socio-economic data is essential to understand how management measures affect fishing communities, from household income and employment, to gender participation and access to resources.
With its deep connections to coastal communities, IPNLF, through Yayasan IPNLF Indonesia (YII), has contributed field-based insights and practical perspectives from pole-and-line and handline fishers in Indonesia. These contributions help bridge the gap between policy design at the national level and realities on the ground.
“Understanding how management measures influence people’s lives is as important as tracking the health of tuna stocks,” said Shannon Hardisty, Social Responsibility Lead at IPNLF.
“That’s why social and economic indicators are fundamental to sustainable fisheries.”
Collaboration that drives progress
Over time, the SEWG has convened multiple sessions that build momentum toward a stronger, more integrated approach to fisheries management. Together, partners have:
These milestones mark important steps toward embedding social and economic considerations within the national Harvest Strategy, ensuring that policies for sustainable tuna fisheries are not only science-based, but also people-centered.
Looking ahead to a more sustainable future
The SEWG continues to serve as a cornerstone for inclusive fisheries management in Indonesia. IPNLF remains committed to supporting this process by linking data, people, and policy and ensuring that small-scale fishers are part of the solution and beneficiaries of sustainable management.
This collaboration reflects IPNLF’s broader mission: to ensure that the transition toward sustainable tuna fisheries strengthens not just ecosystems, but also the livelihoods and well-being of fishing communities across Indonesia’s archipelagic waters.