Sustainable Tuna Fisheries in NTT: Boosting Downstreaming and Fuel Access for Fishers
Kupang – East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) is taking serious steps toward sustainable fisheries management through a Co-Management approach. This collaboration was the main focus of the NTT Fisheries Co-Management Committee (KPBP) regular meeting at the Kristal Hotel, Kupang, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
This strategic meeting brought together the government, academics, industry players, NGOs like Yayasan Masyarakat dan Perikanan Indonesia (MDPI), and local fishers from Maumere and Alor. They tackled the most crucial issues in the seafood supply chain: price stability, subsidized fuel for small-scale fishers, tuna harvest strategies, and better data management.
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Empowering Local Fishers: Subsidized Fuel and Downstreaming
Stevani Tungga Boro, Secretary of the NTT Marine Affairs and Fisheries Agency (DKP), highlighted the need to protect key commodities like tuna, eastern little tuna, and skipjack in Fisheries Management Areas (WPP) 713, 714, and 715. To boost the local economy, the government is also expanding “NTT Mart” across the region to sell premium local seafood products.
However, sustainability efforts must also address the daily struggles of small-scale fishers. According to 2025 data from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), over 101,181 fishers in NTT heavily depend on fuel to go to sea.
“The scarcity and high cost of fuel directly stop our fishers from working,” said Stevani. She warned that this not only lowers the fish supply but also threatens coastal food security, which could increase stunting rates.
Why is it so hard for small vessels (under 5 Gross Tonnage) to get subsidized fuel? The main obstacles include:
Difficulties in getting the Kusuka Card: The mandatory identification card for fishers.
Lack of legal documents: Many fishers do not have a Small Vessel Pass (Pas Kecil).
Complicated rules & bad locations: Fishers often do not understand the paperwork, and fuel stations are located too far away.
To fix the coastal energy infrastructure, PT Pertamina Patra Niaga NTT is planning to build more Fishermen’s Public Fuel Stations (SPBUN). Representative Ali explained that a Type A station (for remote areas) needs a 210-square-meter plot and about IDR 500 million to build. A Type B station requires 400 square meters and around IDR 1 billion.
Protecting Tuna Stocks and Hearing Fishers’ Voices
While improving fuel access, the central government is also finalizing the Tropical Tuna Harvest Strategy. Putu Suadela from the KKP’s Fish Resources Management Directorate (PSDI) shared good news: tuna stocks (like skipjack and yellowfin) in WCPFC waters are currently in the safe “green” zone.
“Indonesia manages its fish stocks using a harvest strategy. One key action is implementing quota-based, measured fishing in WPP 713, 714, and 715,” Putu explained. The government is also reviewing policies on Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs/rumpon) to align with this national strategy.
While national rules improve, grassroots fishers still face real challenges. Arian, an AP2HI handline fisher, and Tasjudin, Head of the Sikka Fair Trade Group, shared their struggles with large net vessels operating in the Flores Sea (WPP 713).
They reported several direct impacts on the ground:
Fewer catches: Small-scale fishers catch significantly less because of large net vessels.
Scarcity of resources: It is getting harder to find both bait and the target tuna.
Rule-breaking FADs: Fish Aggregating Devices (rumpon) are being placed less than 7 miles from the shore.
Through the KPBP meeting, the government and stakeholders aim to solve these exact problems together. As a real first step, the government ended the meeting by handing over Fishers’ Competency Certificates (SKN – Sertifikat Kecakapan Nelayan) and Small Vessel Passes directly to fishers from Alor Kabir, making it easier and legal for them to operate.
