Efforts to strengthen human resource competencies in ecosystem-based fisheries management continue through the ongoing development of the Draft Indonesian National Work Competency Standard (SKKNI) for Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (P3E or EAFM) in Marine Waters.

Held on 29–31 July 2026 in Serpong, South Tangerang, the discussion focused on refining the competency map, competency elements, and Performance Criteria as key foundations for establishing national competency standards that can be applied by fisheries management practitioners and stakeholders. The meeting brought together representatives of government, academia, the business sector, fisheries associations, professional certification bodies, civil society organizations, and the Global Environment Facility-6 (GEF-6) Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia.

The follow-up discussion on the development of the Draft Indonesian National Work Competency Standard (SKKNI) for Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Marine Waters was held on 29–31 July 2026 in Serpong, South Tangerang. Facilitated through funding from the GEF-6 Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia, the activity brought together experts, academics, practitioners, and stakeholders from the marine and fisheries sector to refine national competency standards as a reference for strengthening human resource capacity for sustainable ecosystem-based fisheries management in Indonesia.

The draft competency standards cover the full EAFM management cycle, including the preparation of fisheries management plans, problem identification and analysis, formulation of management strategies and actions, implementation, monitoring, and performance evaluation across the various EAFM domains. The draft also places greater emphasis on competencies that respond to the needs of businesses and the fish processing industry, including sustainable raw material management, equipment and technology requirements, and engagement with suppliers and other stakeholders.

Dr. Ir. M. Fedi Alfiadi Sondita, M.Sc. of IPB University emphasized that the development of EAFM competency standards should effectively bridge the gap between the ecosystem-based fisheries management concept and its practical application in the field.

“The Marine EAFM SKKNI should go beyond conceptual understanding by translating the principles of the ecosystem approach into competencies that can be practically applied and objectively assessed. Therefore, each competency element and Performance Criterion must be formulated clearly, operationally, and in line with the needs of fisheries management and the business sector,” he said.

It's an infographic on the development process for the Indonesian National Work Competency Standards (SKKNI) for Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) and the implementation of the EAFM approach in fisheries management across Indonesia. The infographic formed part of the follow-up discussions on the Draft SKKNI for Marine EAFM held on 29–31 July 2026 in Serpong, South Tangerang. Supported by GEF-6 CFI Indonesia, the initiative aims to strengthen national competency standards for fisheries management professionals while promoting sustainable, adaptive, and equitable ecosystem-based fisheries management in support of Indonesia's blue economy.

According to Dr. Sondita, the competency standards are also essential to ensure that EAFM implementation is supported by professionals with consistent technical capabilities and a shared understanding, thereby enabling fisheries management to become more measurable, adaptive, and sustainable.

Support for the development of the SKKNI for Marine EAFM was also expressed by Dr. Adipati Rahmat Gumelar, Project Manager of CFI Indonesia, who underscored that competency standards are essential to ensuring the sustainability of EAFM implementation in Indonesia.

“CFI Indonesia fully supports the development of the SKKNI for Marine EAFM because they provide a bridge between policy, knowledge, and fisheries management practice. Standardized competencies will strengthen the capacity of all stakeholders to implement EAFM consistently while creating opportunities to integrate the needs of communities and industry into the sustainable management of fishery resources,” he said.

Furthermore, Adipati emphasized that the development of the standards must ensure linkages among fishery resources management, ecosystem sustainability, socio-economic aspects, governance, and the needs of the fisheries supply chain and processing industry.

“Accordingly, SKKNI will serve not only as an administrative document, but also as an instrument for strengthening national capacity to support the transformation toward sustainable fisheries governance,” he said.

The development of SKKNI for Marine EAFM is expected to produce competency standards that are practical, measurable, and aligned with the development needs of the marine and fisheries sector. These standards are also expected to serve as one of the foundations for the development of training programmes, competency certification, human resource capacity development, and the strengthened implementation of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Indonesia's marine waters.