Indonesia calls for global cooperation to end illegal fishing

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Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia has called for stronger regional and global cooperation to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

“As the world’s largest archipelagic country, Indonesia believes international cooperation is key to addressing various global maritime challenges,” Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said in an official statement here on Sunday.

He made the statement at the 7th Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, held in Sanya, Hainan, China, on November 6-8, 2026.

The forum was attended by nearly 400 representatives from more than 30 countries and regions. Indonesia also called for stronger marine conservation efforts, expanded marine research, and inclusive and sustainable blue economy development.

According to Trenggono, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) remains the main foundation of international ocean governance.

At the forum, he also outlined five key blue economy policies, expanding marine conservation areas to 30 percent by 2045, implementing quota-based measured fishing, promoting sustainable aquaculture, strengthening the management of coastal areas and small islands, and involving communities in efforts to reduce marine plastic waste.

In addition, Trenggono said Indonesia supports the effective, inclusive, and equitable implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement to strengthen the protection of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Indonesia has ratified the agreement and submitted its instrument of ratification on June 10, 2025, during the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France.

He noted that implementing the agreement is important to strengthening the conservation of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Trenggono called on all countries to strengthen cooperation, uphold international law, and prioritize science-based policies.

He said these efforts were necessary to ensure healthy, productive, and sustainable oceans for future generations.