Bogor, West Java (ANTARA) – Indonesia was recognized as a leading model for sustainable fisheries management, particularly in small-scale fisheries, during a United Nations food agency forum in Reykjavik, Iceland, on Wednesday, an international certification body said.The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a global non-profit that sets standards for sustainable fishing and seafood traceability, delivered the recognition at a side event of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN agency leading global efforts to fight hunger and promote sustainable fisheries.The recognition was presented during a meeting of FAO’s Committee on Fisheries, a global policy forum where member states discuss fisheries governance, conservation, and sustainable use of marine resources.Head of Fisheries Standard Accessibility at MSC Amanda Lejbowicz said in a statement issued in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia demonstrated how close cooperation between government and stakeholders could drive systemic improvements in fisheries management.“Indonesia shows how strategic partnerships between government and stakeholders can create systemic impact in fisheries governance,” Lejbowicz said, reflecting on lessons from 15 years of applying MSC tools in pre-certification programs.The forum brought together FAO member states to exchange policy views and best practices, with MSC stressing the importance of cross-sector collaboration to build resilient and sustainable fisheries management systems.Indonesia was cited for its collaborative approach, coordinating government agencies, fishing industry players, fisheries associations, research institutions, and civil society groups to systematically improve fisheries governance.Representatives from Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries outlined a national strategy through the National Fisheries Improvement Meeting, aligning Fisheries Improvement Projects with national policies and technical support in the field.Indonesia currently hosts seven MSC Improvement Programs involving fisheries units, industry associations, and other stakeholders to promote transparent, measurable, and science-based management practices toward international sustainability standards.With one certified fishery and seven active improvement programs, Indonesia is building a supportive ecosystem for sustainable fisheries while strengthening its position in global seafood markets, MSC said.Fery Sutyawan, head of the Fish Stock Assessment Working Group at the ministry’s Directorate General of Capture Fisheries, said governance reform was a national strategic priority aligned with blue economy policies and quota-based fisheries management.”Collaboration with partners, including MSC, strengthens coordination, boosts transparency, and ensures fisheries improvements, especially in small-scale fisheries, align with national policies,” he said.Through MSC Improvement and Pathway programs, Indonesian fisheries identify sustainability gaps, develop improvement roadmaps, and strengthen governance capacity, including harvest strategies, harvest control rules, and fisheries data systems.MSC said sustainable fisheries transformation depends on supportive regulation, science-based management, and market incentives, adding that Indonesia’s strong national coordination has helped accelerate progress.The forum reinforced Indonesia’s role in sharing best practices in sustainable fisheries governance, enhancing the credibility of its seafood products in international markets and supporting long-term coastal livelihoods.