MSC Pre-Assessment of Indonesia Blue Swimming Crab

Indonesia BSC scoping document

MSC pre-assessment made public (draft version)

Fish Source Profile developed

MoU with APRI's members and partners

FIP participants organised 

Updated 2024 Workplan (September 2024)

Updated 2024 workplan

Updated workplan 2016- 2024

2016-2022 workplan

2016-2018 workplan

Summary of the workplan for 2014 - 2015 is available, with activities and milestones

Workplan available for 1 February - December 2013

Detailed workplan available for 2011 - 2013

The FIP attended a fisheries data collection meeting in Bogor to support sustainable blue swimming crab management; the meeting focused on collecting accurate data on fishing type, quantity, and location to inform policies for sustainable fisheries.

The FIP has developed a logbook to record ghost fishing activity; the logbook is pending implementation. 

The FIP has conducted continuous data collection on crab stocks and implemented stock enhancement activities, including restocking in locations like Takalar and Situbondo. Through collaboration, the FIP has tagged and released 4,900 crablets into seagrass areas, which offer protection and nutrients, resulting in a 40-60% increase in crab stock.

The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries held an FGD in Bogor to enhance capture fisheries data quality, with stakeholders like APRI; the discussions focused on strengthening e-logbook data collection to ensure accurate, unified data for volume and value across the ministry.

The implementation of improved 4.5-inch mesh nets has reduced bycatch compared to standard gillnets. Reports show decreases in non-target species numbers, individuals and total bycatch weight.

The Fisheries Agency in Pamekasan, with APRI’s support, issued PAS Kecil vessel licenses to 13 fishermen, providing essential benefits like ownership proof and sailing documents. The initiative aims to streamline licensing for small vessels, ensuring safety and access to business credit for small-scale fishers.

The FIP held a collaborative meeting in Kendari with the Southeast Sulawesi Marine and Fisheries Agency to advance blue swimming crab management in FMA 714. Attended by regional leaders, government agencies, academics, and industry representatives, the meeting focused on developing a stakeholder-informed action plan for sustainable crab management in the province.

Ministerial Regulation No. 7/2024 issued which introduces updated management measures for lobsters, crabs and crab resources in Indonesia waters with regard to specificed fishing seasons, catch limits, gear restrictions, minimum size limits and conservation measures. 

Nets with improved mesh size have been partially implemented in the FIP. Preliminary results indicate that in most locations, the SPR value has improved and there has been a reduction in bycatch.

The FIP held a meeting in Bogor, West Java to consolidate blue swimming crab data from various stakeholders, aiming to enhance collaboration and management within the BSC fishery. 

The FIP conducted a meeting and training session with fishermen in Pamekasan in collaboration with local government and fisher communities focusing on the handling of berried female crabs, the implementation of crab apartments and implementing nets with improved mesh size. 

GTK5, ETP species and ghost fishing posters have been disseminated for outreach. 

Research on the implementation of traps with escape vents has been conducted and published; the results suggest that these traps are effective in reducing the capture of small crabs.

Updated stock assessment information has been compiled into a presentation. 

The FIP is re-training enumerators in an effort to update and maintain their understanding regarding the data collection and analysis. 

Vessel registrations remain underway

The FIP collaborated with the Agency of Fisheries of Pasuruan District to conduct a meeting with fishermen in Semedusari Village to provide updated information on the harvest strategy, harvest control rules, and environmentally friendly fishing gear, as well as raise awareness about ETP species.

Training conducted with the Pasuruan District village authority and the Directorate of Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervision in an effort to increase compliance amongst local fishermen. 

The FIP participated in a risk-based framework (RBF) training conducted by MSC and MMAF.

The FIP attended the Methods Evaluation and Risk Assessment (MERA) workshop held by the MSC in Indonesia 

The new regulation 11/2023 Penangkapan Ikan Terukur has been issued by the Indonesian government to establish a quota-based fishery system;  the regulation will divide the country's waters into zones encompassing different Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs).

The FIP is working with the Agency of Marine Affairs and Fisheries to scope out and develop a protected conservation area for the blue swimming crab within the Rembang area.

The FIP held a meeting with stakeholders in early 2023 to discuss high level region-wide management of the BSC 

The FIP has been implementing gear (traps) with escape vents and has improved the mesh size to 4.5 inches.

FMA meeting conducted by APRI and stakeholders to discuss ongoing management progress. 

APRI conducted a survey to identify stock enhancement areas; report made available.

Data management committee meeting held in July 2022.

ETP management strategies still being developed. ETP species training workshop has been held and the FIP has a pilot project underway to improve nets/ net size

Habitat review conducted on seagrass conditions

Habitat study has provided information on the ecosystem

The BSC Management Plan has been reviewed and updated

The nature, distribution, and vulnerability of main habitats types in the fisheries area is not documented and very limited. Some studies suggest traps have low impact on the environment. 

GTK5 logbook has been implemented in Rembang and Pamekasan; fishermen have contributed data to the logbooks

The Vessel Tracking System (VTS) has been installed in 15 boats distributed in Rembang, Pamekasan, and Pangkajene dan Kepulauan and continues to be implemented across the fleet. 

Meeting held between APRI and BBPI; The implementation of nets with improved mesh size and traps with escape vents was discussed

A1-3 certificate training was conducted for enumerators and co-management supervisors

Review of the harvest strategy and HCR meeting conducted in Fall 2021

FIP stock assessment mid-term report made available 

Landing report logbook created; ETP training continues to be implemented along with this development 

A trap with escape vent prototype has been developed and is currently being implemented in a trial phase in Pamekasan. 

APRI collected bycatch samples for genetic analysis; 342 total samples collected. 

Harvest control rules developed and adopted in the East Java Province. The HCR have been communicated to the stakeholders

Summary report of the implementation of crab apartment in 3 co-management sites

Webinar held on "Mapping Blue Swimming Crab Fishery Ecosystems"

Report drafted on non-target species of the Blue Swimming Crab Fishery in Pamekasan of East Java from 2016-2019. 

Summary report drafted on stock assesment by size distribution from 2016-2019

APRI has drafted up a letter of appeal addressing the COVID-19 outbreak for the supply chain

Seed restocking has continued in Desa Kemantren, Kecamatan Paciran, Kabupaten Lamongan

Meeting held to discuss harvest strategy

A meeting was held with the Directorate General of Marine Affairs and Fishery Products Competition Reinforcement discussing the control documnet report and miniplant scoring certification. 

Report drafted on TREKfish VTS in Pamekasan, Rembang and Pamandati

The meeting conducted on Friday July 12, 2019 on socialization of management plans with province 

FIP workshops on harvest strategy completed 

Seed re-stocking completed in collaboration between PT Kemilau Bintang Timur and BPBAP Takalar in Maros (South Sulawesi).

Studies from research funding to the Student Youth programs uploaded to FisheryProgress and made available 

APRI continues to implement the control document and expand the implementation 

APRI continues to engage with the government to support BSC sustainability and to establish a traceability system (e.g. Control Document) 

FIP participants meet to discuss follow up and finalisation of management plan 

FIP participants meet with Directorate MMAF to discuss managment plan 

SFP and APRI facilitated the workshop “Cost Effective Stock Assessment for Data Poor Fisheries, 

A letter advising of the US Crab Council minimum size policy was sent by the national fisheries regulator, the Director General of Fishery Products and Marketing, to fisheries managers

NFI US Crab Council sent a letter to MMAF to share their concern for the health of the BSC resource

SFP and the CEO of Phillips Foods met the Director General of Capture Fisheries to present current work in Indonesia.

Increase to PI 2.4.2;  Implementation of Ministerial Decree 38/ 2024 issued relating to the conservation zone in Betahwalang, Demak, Central Java.

FIP reported establishment of the BSC fishery management committee in East Java  by  Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries

Increase in PI score 2.2.2; several measures implemented for reducing mortality of unwanted catch 

PI score 3.2.4 increase; there are several mechanisms in place to evaluate key parts of the management system

Increase in BMT score 2.4.2; The Indonesian government has prohibited the use of trawls in Indonesian waters, instead promoting other gear types. Risk assessment shows the habitat is at low risk. 

BMT score increase 3.2.4; mechanisms in place to evaluate key parts of the management system.

Increases in PI scores  2.2.3 & 2.3.3 - based on 2020 APRI report made available.on non-target species field assessment.

Harvest strategy has been lauched for the management of blue swimming crab, snapper, and grouper fisheries with a Limit Refernce Point (LRP) of 20% and Target Reference Point (TRP) of 30% for SPR ; report on harvest strategy has been drafted

New Village Regulation of PerDes No.02/2019 about BSC management in Betahwalang village was signed on 21st May 2019 - BSC habitat protected areas declared by Betahwalang Village Community (Central Java)

Increase in MSC PI scores 2.1.3; 2.4.2; 2.4.3

Governor Decree on Establishment of BSC Fishery Management Committee 2017-2022 for the region in November 2017 - (Governor of Central Java Decree No. 523/93 Year 2017)

The Governor Regulation on Fishery Management for Blue Swimming Crab, Lobster and Mud Crab for Central Java Province has been signed in July 2017

Government Decree on the establishment of BSC Fisheries Management Committee hase been signed 

The control document has been independent audited by third party to assess the implementation - Control Document trials are having a positive effect on adhering to 10cm and berried female standard.

2016 Stock Assessment for BSC published 

Government of Indonesia issues management plan for Indonesia Blue Swimming crab K MKP No. 70/KEPMEN-KP/2016.

Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries established the Ministerial Decree No. 02/2015 regarding ban on minitrawl (in indonesian)

Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries established the Ministerial Decree No. 01/2015 regarding Minimum Legal Size for Blue Swimming Crab (10 cm) (in indonesian)

APRI adopted a sourcing policy to prohibit purchasing crabs less than 10cm carapace width

Nursery and Habitat Conservation launched in Demak Regency

Fishing gears exchanged from trawl to collapsible trap: 2800 traps have been handover to fishers

Increase to PI 2.2.1 - Improved fishing gear (net with 4.5 inches mesh size) already implemented in some locations. The results showing that the non-targeted species captured by the 4.5 inches net is reduced compared to the common gillnet. Based on the report, there was a decrease in the number of species, the number of individuals, and the total weight of non-targeted species caught.

Increase in PI score 2.2.1; gillnet bycatch was evaluated to only have two species above 2% catch - these species are not in the high-risk category

Increase in BMT score 2.4.1; Habitat confirmed to be at low risk. The BSC is found in sandy substrates mixed with mud close to mangroves and seagrass beds, but away from coral reefs.

Increase in BMT scores 2.2.1 reported in Year 4 - due to decrease in bycatch with new net size restrictions