PRESS RELEASE
COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA TEAM OF THE AIS FORUM SUMMIT 2023
No.62/SP/TKM-AISFORUM2023/10/2023
Bali, October 10, 2023 – Indonesia offers solutions and innovations in the maritime sector for island and archipelago nations by introducing fish cages and fish aggregating devices (FADs) to Fiji and Madagascar.
According to Jodi Mahardi, Deputy for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy Coordination at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment, in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Tuesday (October 10, 2023), the Indonesian delegation introduced 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 we are familiar with in Indonesia, but in Pacific island countries, there were no fish cages at all,” said Jodi after attending the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the AIS Forum in Nusa Dua.
Meanwhile, at the 8th SOM of the AIS Forum in Madagascar, held last June, the Indonesian delegation presented fish aggregating devices (FADs) that can be installed in shallow or deep waters to help fishermen catch fish.
Jodi explained that Indonesia is working to share proven practical solutions and innovations in Indonesia that could be adapted and implemented in other island and archipelago nations to address similar challenges.
“There are many simple things, not rocket science, that we can apply in small countries, and the community can be directly involved in making them,” said Jodi.
If successful, he continued, the AIS Forum Secretariat will replicate similar solutions and innovations in other countries.
“This program will continue to be monitored, evaluated, and improved if necessary. If deemed successful, we will replicate it elsewhere, including domestically. So, we are not only focused on developing the blue economy or other maritime initiatives in other countries but also here in our own country,” Jodi explained.
To enhance collaboration within the AIS Forum, the AIS Forum Secretariat has appointed regional officers in three regions: the Pacific based in Fiji, the Indian Ocean Rim based in Madagascar, and the Caribbean based in Barbados.
The role of these regional officers is to gather input on programs and initiatives needed by communities to develop AIS Forum cooperation initiatives.
“The nature of the AIS Forum is how we can build from grassroots communities, not just running government programs, but creating programs that are truly needed and can be carried out by the community,” said Jodi.
The AIS Forum is a platform for cooperation between island and archipelago countries aimed at strengthening collaboration to address four global issues: climate change mitigation and adaptation, the blue economy, marine plastic waste management, and maritime governance.
About AIS Forum:
The Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum is a global cooperation platform for island and archipelago nations aimed at strengthening collaboration to address global challenges in four key areas: climate change mitigation and adaptation, the blue economy, marine plastic waste management, and good maritime governance. The AIS Forum Summit is held to strengthen the role of the AIS Forum as a hub for smart and innovative solutions, as well as a platform for mutual cooperation in advancing the global maritime governance agenda.
For more information, please contact the following:
Director General of Public Information and Communication, Ministry of Communication and Information – Usman Kansong (0816785320).
Access press releases, narratives, photos, and videos related to the AIS Forum Summit 2023 at https://s.id/aispedia
Foreign Minister Retno L. Marsudi with the entire delegation present at the 5th Ministerial Meeting of Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum 2023 at BNDCC, Bali, Tuesday (10/10/2023). (Photo: Amiri Yandhi/InfoPublik)
