ASEAN-ID Blue Delegates Learn About Blue Economy Practices in Banyuwangi

Delegates from the international forum ASEAN-ID Blue conducted a field visit to Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia, to gain firsthand knowledge of community-based blue economy development practices. The visit centered on two key locations: the Red and White Fishermen Cooperative (KNMP) Lateng and the Bangsring Underwater conservation area.

Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani highlighted the visit as a valuable opportunity for delegates to observe how the local community translates the blue economy concept into tangible actions. The practices explored included fisheries downstreaming and integrated marine conservation efforts. The ASEAN-ID Blue forum itself is an initiative by Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, fostering collaboration among ASEAN, East Asia Summit (EAS), and Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) member states.

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This visit is a valuable opportunity for the delegates to see how the Banyuwangi community translates the blue economy concept into tangible actions.

At KNMP Lateng, delegates learned about fisheries downstreaming practices managed through a cooperative model. Fiestiandani explained that this cooperative focuses on developing value-added products from marine yields, directly benefiting the local coastal community's economy. This business model enhances fishermen's welfare by processing catches into higher-value products, rather than selling them raw.

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The future of the blue economy in the ASEAN region will be greatly determined by practices at the local level such as those developed in Banyuwangi.

The tour continued to Bangsring Underwater, now a successful example of community-based marine conservation. Delegates witnessed coral reef rehabilitation and ecotourism development managed by coastal communities. Fiestiandani noted that Bangsring was previously severely damaged by destructive fishing practices but has transformed into a premier ecotourism destination and a vital marine ecosystem protection area through dedicated conservation efforts.

Zelda Wulan Kartika, a Special Advisor for Economic Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that the future of the blue economy in the ASEAN region hinges on local practices like those in Banyuwangi. She identified fishermen's cooperatives, MSMEs, and conservation groups as crucial in translating intergovernmental cooperation commitments into real community benefits.

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Fishermen cooperatives, MSMEs, and conservation groups play a crucial role in translating cooperation commitments between countries into tangible benefits for the community.