cfi-indonesia.id. The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), through the Directorate of Fisheries Resources Management (PSDI) under the Directorate General of Capture Fisheries (DJPT), convened the 2026 Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting for the GEF-6 Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia Program on 24 February 2026. The hybrid meeting brought together more than 80 participants from national and regional governments, implementing partners, the PMU of GEF-6 CFI Indonesia, and the WWF-US GEF Agency.

The primary agenda of the meeting was the endorsement of the 2026 Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB), which represents the final year’s work plan and budget before the Global Environment Facility (GEF)–supported programme is officially concluded.

Director of WWF-US GEF Agency, Heike Lingertat, delivered her remarks virtually during the 2026 PSC Meeting for GEF-6 CFI Indonésia Programs, Jakarta (24 February, 2026)

The director of the WWF-US GEF Agency, Heike Lingertat, emphasized that 2026 is a critical phase to finalize and consolidate the program’s achievements.

“The 2026 work program is built on a strong foundation established in previous years. Our focus is to ensure that key results are fully consolidated and ready to be sustained beyond the project’s completion,” she stated.

Policy Alignment and Governance Strengthening

One of the key priorities under the 2026 AWPB is the completion and alignment of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) in Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs) 715, 717, and 718. These areas hold significant strategic value as major fisheries hubs in eastern Indonesia.

Heike highlighted the importance of regulatory harmonization between national and subnational governments, alongside strengthening the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM).

“We encourage that ecosystem-based and rights-based management principles move beyond policy documents and become fully integrated into national systems, with effective implementation on the ground,” she explained.

In addition to policy aspect, strengthening human resource capacity remains a key priority. Support for Fisheries Management Units, development of EAFM competency standards, and capacity-building for fisheries managers, extension officers, and local communities form integral components of the sustainability strategy.

“Investing in capacity and institutions is essential. Without it, post-project sustainability will be difficult to achieve,” she added.

Innovative Financing and Support for Small-Scale Fisheries

In terms of implementation, the 2026 programme continues to promote the effectiveness of aquatic conservation areas and their integration into broader EAFM planning. In addition, strengthening small-scale fisheries is pursued through value chain support, Fishery Improvement Plans (FIP), and market-based approaches.

One of the innovative mechanisms being piloted is Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) as an alternative long-term financing solution for coastal conservation.

“Pilot financing schemes such as PES are critical for identifying sustainable funding options for coastal ecosystem conservation,” she noted.

She also expressed optimism that the achievements of GEF-6 CFI Indonesia will serve as a foundation for future phases.

“The success of this project provides a concrete entry point for scaling up and programmatic replication, in line with the GEF-9 direction, which emphasizes systemic impact and global environmental benefits,” she concluded.

Aligned with the Blue Economy Agenda

Syahril Abd Raup, Director of PSDI, delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the Director General of Capture Fisheries and officially opened the 2026 PSC Meeting of the GEF-6 CFI Indonesia Program in Jakarta (24 February 2026)

Syahril Abd Raup, Director of PSDI, who also serves as the National Project Coordinator of GEF-6 CFI Indonesia, delivered remarks on behalf of the Director General of Capture Fisheries. He emphasized that GEF-6 CFI Indonesia program is closely aligned with MMAF's Blue Economy policy priorities.

“The program is in line with the Measured Fishing policy and the Red-and-White Fishing Villages initiative, which aim to limit fishing effort in accordance with the carrying capacity of fishery resources while improving fishers’ livelihoods,” he stated.

He further highlighted the strategic importance of the program, noting that the majority of Indonesia’s capture fisheries actors are small-scale fishers.

“Approximately 90 percent of our capture fishers are small-scale fishers. Therefore, strengthening equitable and sustainable fisheries governance is critically important,” he explained.

Implementation Challenges in the Field

The Senior Advisor to the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries on the Protection of Fishers and Fishing Vessel Crew, Muhammad Abdi Suhufan, was also present and delivered guidance during the 2026 PSC Meeting of the GEF-6 CFI Indonesia Programme in Jakarta (24 February 2026)

The Senior Advisor to the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries on the Protection of Fishers and Fishing Vessel Crew, Muhammad Abdi Suhufan, also expressed appreciation for the program’s contribution to MMAF priority policies.

“This is my second year following this project, and around 60 to 70 percent of its activities support the implementation of Measured Fishing,” he noted.

However, he also acknowledged ongoing challenges in field-level implementation. The Measured Fishing policy has yet to be fully optimized and has experienced periods of policy relaxation.

“The challenges are real. The policy has not yet been optimally implemented. Therefore, in the final year of this project, we expect concrete contributions that will help strengthen implementation by 2027,” he stressed.

The Importance of Synergy and Communication

In closing, Syahril Abd Raup underscored the need for adequate budget support and stronger cross-sectoral collaboration to address remaining gaps.

“We must ensure integration across all stakeholders, particularly in advancing regulatory adjustments and optimizing Fisheries Management Units within each FMA,” he stated.

He also emphasized the importance of public communication and subnational-level engagement to ensure broad understanding and support for the policies.

“All activities under this project must remain aligned with the Minister’s directives, including advancing the Red-and-White Fishing Villages initiative and strengthening the Blue Economy agenda,” he concluded.

The Project Manager of GEF-6 CFI Indonesia, Adipati Rahmat, led the 2026 PSC Meeting of the GEF-6 CFI Indonesia Programme in Jakarta (24 February 2026)

The Project Manager of GEF-6 CFI Indonesia, Adipati Rahmat reported that, as of 31 December 2025, nearly all core project indicators had been achieved in accordance with the Results Framework. “As of 31 December 2025, output achievements for Components A and B have each reached 100 percent, while Component D has reached 96 percent,” he stated. He emphasized that these accomplishments form a strong foundation for ensuring the full delivery of targets in the final year of project implementation.

Entering 2026, the project has developed an Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) totaling IDR 11.5 billion to finance 29 strategic activities. “Of this amount, nine activities, valued at approximately IDR 3.2 billion, will directly support the implementation of the ‘Red-and-White Fishing Villages’ initiative in Eastern Indonesia,” Adipati explained. He further noted that the final year will focus on consolidating results to ensure the sustainability of project benefits beyond the programme’s completion.

The 2026 PSC Meeting serves both as a forum for endorsing the annual work plan, and as a key moment for reflection and consolidation. The final year of GEF-6 CFI Indonesia is expected to leave a formidable foundation—across policy, institutional, and capacity dimensions—to ensure that fisheries management in Indonesia becomes increasingly measurable, equatable, and sustainable.