Implementation of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing policies in North Sumatera Province

Abstract

North Sumatra’s coastal and seawater represent a very large fishing potential with a catching that is estimated at 1,713,015 tons per year. This potential includes the Malacca Strait which accounts for 484,414 tons per year and the Indian Ocean which represents 1,228,601 tons per year. Unfortunately, this huge economic asset is being ravaged by a phenomenon commonly referred to as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF). In 2012, the Indonesian Government issued the Decree of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia No. Kep.50/Men/2012 on the National Action Plan for Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Prevention and Control for the period 2012–2016 as the bedrock of national policies to comply with international and regional demand in terms of fisheries. This study discusses the issue of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, especially its impact on the marine environment in the province of North Sumatera, and the role of the provincial government in mitigating it. The study uses normative juridical methods. Primary data derived from the North Sumatera Fisheries Court’s decision combined with interviews and Focus Group Discussions with relevant staff at the Department of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs and Supervision of Marine Resources and Fisheries of North Sumatera Province. The results show that IUUF is harmful to the environment, the Gross National Product, and government revenues from landing fees, license fees, and taxes.

Keywords

• Illegal fishing
• unreported fishing
• unregulated fishing
• fishing policies
• North Sumatera