TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia and the United States today launched the sustainable marine and fisheries conservation program in Indonesia.

Nilanto Perbowo, director general of product competitiveness improvement at the Ministry of Marine and Fisheries, said that the US$ 40 million (Rp533 billion) USAID program will support Indonesia's efforts in managing sustainable fisheries and marine biodiversity conservation.

The program is also expected to help Indonesia combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

"The program will help us in answering important challenges in managing marine and fisheries resources, as well as improving the welfare of locals living on the coasts of three provinces that the program is focused on," Nilanto said on Thursday, February 16, 2017.

The cooperation agreement was signed by US Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph Donovan, the USAID's mission director Erin McKee, and Nilanto Perbowo—representing Indonesia's Minister of Marine and Fisheries who are currently abroad.

Ambassador Donovan said that Indonesia and the US have a strong partnership in the maritime sector, including through a new program aimed at protecting the vital marine biodiversity, as well as promoting of sustainable usage that will secure food resources and public livelihood in Indonesia.

"Through the USAID, we plan to enhance the management of six million hectares of marine habitat and fisheries that are in crisis, as well as develop and support 15 marine conservation areas," Mr. Donovan said.

He added that the partnership also seeks to improve fisheries productivity, food and nutrition security, and sustainable livelihood at 13 regencies in Maluku, North Maluku, and West Papua.

Nilanto said the program consists of five projects: the Sustainable Ecosystems Advanced (SEA); the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Supporting Nature and People Partnership for Enduring Resources (SNAPPER), Interpol; and the USAID Oceans and Fisheries Partnership (USAID Oceans).

DESTRIANITA