In Indonesia’s remote coastal areas and small islands like Morotai and Tanimbar Islands, small-scale fishers depend on their nearby marine resources not only for income but also for food security, stability, and a sense of identity.  Yet, many small-scale fishers are still not fully captured in national databases, which limits their ability to access programs designed to support and empower them. Without accurate numbers, it is difficult to allocate resources fairly, design proper policies, or anticipate future needs. Similarly, without having accurate data on fishers and their vessels, policymakers struggle to make informed decisions, and fishers miss opportunities for social protection, insurance, fuel subsidies, and formal recognition of their livelihoods. This is where the SeaBLUE Project, supported by the Government of Japan and implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Indonesia with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) steps in. One of its key interventions is improving two essential systems: Sistem Informasi Izin Kapal Daerah or SIMKADA, the regional vessel licensing information system, and Kartu Pelaku Usaha Kelautan dan Perikanan or KUSUKA, the marine and fisheries business operator card.  

While SIMKADA captures data on fishing vessels—including dimensions that indicate fishing capacity—KUSUKA records information on individual fishers and business operators. Together, these systems create a comprehensive database that supports data-driven policymaking, enabling more accurate planning and management. With SeaBLUE project actively facilitating smoother SIMKADA and KUSUKA registration for small-scale fishers, this integration is expected to deliver greater impact for fishers and strengthen the foundation for sustainable fisheries governance.

Building Integrated Fisher and Vessel Data

For small-scale fishers, being registered in systems such as KUSUKA and SIMKADA is more than administrative compliance, it determines whether they can access benefits and participate fully in national programs. Registered fishers may qualify for fuel subsidies, life and accident insurance, social assistance, and various empowerment schemes under KKP.

However, registration requires accurate and harmonized data, something that has long been challenging due to overlapping mandates between KKP (which regulates fishers) and the Ministry of Transportation (which regulates vessels). The Ministry of Transportation is involved in SIMKADA because fishing vessels are still considered a means of transportation—they carry fishers and transport their catch from one location to another. Just like urban workers need licensed cars or motorcycles to commute to work, fishing vessels also require proper registration to ensure safety, accountability, and compliance. This principle applies in fisheries management, where vessel licensing is the foundation for monitoring fishing activities and supporting sustainable practices. For many remote fishers, this administrative complexity often leads to exclusion. SeaBLUE project helps bridge this gap.

Through coordinated field missions in Morotai and the Tanimbar Islands, the project supported the registration of 1,746 fishers in KUSUKA and facilitated the measurement of 454 fishing vessels, enabling them to obtain the required E-Pas Kecil, a key document that allows fishers to legally operate and complete SIMKADA requirements.

By ensuring both fishers and their vessels are properly recorded, local governments can better understand community needs, design data-driven programs, and improve monitoring of coastal activities. For fishers, this translates into easier access to services and greater visibility within national development plans.

Strengthening Government Capacity Through Blue Economy Training

To ensure sustainability, SeaBLUE also invested in strengthening local government capacity. Through the Training in Blue Economy for Local Policymakers, held with the Center for Marine and Fisheries Training or Pusat Pelatihan Kelautan dan Perikanan (Puslat KP), more than 100 government officers from different local agencies and representatives from cooperative and fishers group received practical training on blue economy principles, data governance, and inter-agency integration. The training emphasized zero-waste and zero-emission approaches, aligning local development with Indonesia’s national strategy and global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In her remarks, Lily Aprilya Pregiwati, Head of Puslat KP stated, “The success of the blue economy depends not only on technical skills but also shifts in the work culture within government. We need integrity-driven civil servants who can drive real change in coastal regions. I hope that the knowledge gained from this training can strengthen each institution’s role, from fisheries, transportation, planning, cooperatives, and beyond, in advancing the blue economy.”

Many participants noted that the training helped them understand how different local government units—fisheries, planning, cooperatives, transportation—interlink in achieving sustainable coastal development. This shared understanding is essential for coordinating policies across sectors and ensuring more coherent support for small-scale fishers.

Towards a Stronger Coastal Ecosystem

The combined efforts to strengthen fisher registration, vessel measurement, and local government capacity reflect a larger vision: a fisheries management ecosystem where data drives decisions, institutions work seamlessly, and small-scale fishers receive the recognition and support they deserve. Through SeaBLUE, the Government of Japan, and UNDP are helping Indonesia build the foundational systems that ensure no fisher is left unseen, and no livelihood left behind.

Learn more about UNDP Indonesia’s efforts to empower coastal communities and promote sustainable fisheries at www.undp.org 

Written by: Anastasia Weningtias

Edited by: Thomas Benmetan