Casting the Right Policy Net: Should Indonesia Use Quotas to Manage Its Fisheries?
Authors
Aditya Alta
Biyan Shandy
Indonesia’s fisheries face a dual crisis driven by weak management of the sector: overfishing (about 35% of fish stocks are overexploited, and an overall declining stock) and persistent poverty among small-scale fishers in coastal communities.
The current fishing quota policy is not implementation-ready and contains major design gaps. Implementing the quota prematurely risks undermining its desired outcomes by increasing fishing pressure, inequitable access, and enforcement failures.
Quotas should not be the overarching management tool for Indonesia’s diverse fisheries. A layered approach combining quota, input controls, and area-based rights is more viable.
Strengthening community-based and area based management, including TURF-like rights, offers a more equitable and context-appropriate path for coastal fisheries. Clear definitions for small-scale fishers, exclusive nearshore access, and self- or co-management arrangements can improve stewardship, reduce conflict, and support local economic development—outcomes not achievable through quota alone.
Revenues and regulatory effort should focus on building scientific and enforcement capacity rather than maximizing state income. Earmarking fishery charges for improved stock assessment, monitoring, and compliance—especially for offshore industrial fleets—would better support sustainability and long-term economic returns.
Tara Matthews
