Indonesia and China Strengthen Fisheries Cooperation through Technical Agreement
Beijing, The Gulf Observer: On November 9, during President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to China, Indonesia’s Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono signed the Technical Cooperation Guidelines (TCG) with Han Jun, China’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. The signing ceremony was witnessed by both Presidents, Prabowo Subianto and Xi Jinping, underscoring the importance of enhancing bilateral ties, particularly in the fisheries sector.
The TCG is part of a broader Implementation Arrangement between the two nations, originally signed in September 2023, aimed at fostering sustainable fisheries cooperation. Minister Trenggono highlighted that China is a key strategic partner for Indonesia, ranking among the top five fisheries markets for the country. He noted that the signing would further strengthen collaboration in this vital sector.
“The TCG will facilitate cooperation across 12 key areas, including joint ventures, fishing vessels, and fishing quotas. It also covers fish capture and product processing in accordance with Indonesian legal standards,” Trenggono said in a statement issued following the event.
The agreement also addresses the construction of onshore fisheries infrastructure, including fishing ports, as well as capacity building through skills exchange, training, and data sharing within the fisheries industry. Additionally, it aims to improve the welfare of fisheries workers and local communities by boosting the downstream processing of fishery products.
A key focus of the cooperation is the strict supervision and evaluation of fishing activities to ensure sustainable fishery resources, prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing), and safeguard marine environments.
Minister Trenggono emphasized that the TCG represents a strategic step towards ensuring food security and increasing state revenues, ultimately benefiting fishing communities across Indonesia.
