The partnership between the Republic of Indonesia and the United Kingdom has been strengthened further, following an agreement to work together to deliver a package of marine and fisheries initiatives.
These include measures to combat illegal fishing, support conservation and ensure high quality, safe seafood.
It will bring together scientists from the Agency for Marine and Fisheries Research (MMAF) and the Centre for Environment for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)
Tom Karsten, Cefas CEO, said: “This agreement heralds an important new era for UK-Indonesia collaboration in the fields of marine affairs and fisheries. I very much look forward to continuing to work in cooperation with our (esteemed) partners at the MMAF.”
“This agreement builds on the successful workshop we held together in February and enables us to share collective expertise and deliver mutual benefits for both organisations, our two countries and most importantly our shared global environment.”
The partnership will implement a five-area work plan, the first is the sharing of information on procedures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
It will also cover marine affairs and fisheries scientific research, observation and surveys, as well as the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources and biodiversity.
Finally, the plan will co-operate on quality and safety management system fish and fisheries products for human consumption, and capacity building programmes.
The plan has been developed following a three-day workshop in Jakarta in February, which teamed up leading experts in marine affairs and fisheries from MMAF, Cefas and other organisations, including the UK’s Foreign Office and Hydrographic Office.
This month, Cefas will start direct engagement to commence planning and delivery of the programme over the next three years.
