Sustainable Ocean Economy Discussion on a Historic Norwegian Ship
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The Royal Norwegian Embassy in collaboration with IOJI organized a roundtable discussion on a sustainable ocean economy. The discussion took place aboard the historic Norwegian tall sailing ship, Statsraad Lehmkuhl, at Tanjung Priok Harbor, North Jakarta.
The historic tall sailing ship of the Kingdom of Norway, Statsraad Lehmkuhl, is starting its global voyage again in August 2021.
Carrying out the “One Ocean Expedition” sailing mission, as many as 25 crew members and 140 Statsraad Lehmkuhl cadets proclaimed sustainable maritime development in every country of transit, including Indonesia.
The Statsraad Lehmkuhl docked at Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta on November 6, 2022. Resting for three days, the ship’s crew and cadets met with Indonesian colleagues.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Indonesia, Rut Kruger Giverin hopes that “One Ocean Expedition” can share new knowledge, especially for Indonesian cadets, about how important the role of the ocean is in sustainable development.
“We believe Statsraad Lehmkuhl’s visit to Jakarta will be a very good opportunity to celebrate the [marine] partnership,” he said.
Managing the Sea in a Sustainable Way
The partnership celebration was also held the day after Statsraad Lehmkuhl anchored at Tanjung Priok Port.
On board the historic ship and in partnership with the Indonesia Ocean Justice Initiative (IOJI), the Kingdom of Norway on 7 November 2022 held a roundtable discussion on a sustainable ocean economy.
The discussion focused on 2 of the 5 key transformation areas towards a sustainable ocean economy.
In the discussion, government representatives, academics and civil society organizations shared views on progress, available programs, and key considerations to accelerate the transformation of Indonesia’s marine health and justice.
Ambassador Ruth emphasized Indonesia’s important role in overcoming climate change through managing marine health. What’s more, the High Level Panel on a Sustainable Ocean Economy focuses on “how we can have an ocean economy with sustainable production,” the Ambassador said.
Managing the oceans in a sustainable manner can provide many benefits, such as creating jobs, sustainable businesses, and improving the livelihoods of people who depend on the seas and coasts.
Restoring Ocean Health
Indonesia is facing a decline in ocean health. And the government “has made a bold commitment to protecting ocean health through tackling marine plastic pollution,” said Assistant Deputy for Maritime Law and Agreements at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Radian Nurcahyo.
In his remarks aboard Norway’s historic tall sailing ship, he also highlighted the government’s commitment through a declaration to reduce 30 percent of solid waste and 70 percent of marine plastic waste by 2025. This commitment is simplified in a framework entitled “National Action Plan”.
The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) is also not standing still in facing the decline in the health of Indonesia’s seas. The Head of the KKP Work Unit, Anastasia Kuswardani stated that the KKP proposed a blue economy framework to restore the health of the sea. There are five proposed new economic programs, respectively:
- Expansion of Marine Protected Areas
- Measured Fisheries Policy/Quota-Based Fishing Activities
- Development of Sustainable Aquaculture
- Management of Coastal and Small Islands
- Managing Plastic Waste, including through the Love the Ocean Month program
Even so, said Anastasia, the formulation of policies related to the blue economy is still constrained by “a lack of reliable data and limited monitoring capacity.”
Role from the Micro Level
Responding to Anastasia, the representative of the World Bank, Ambroise Brenier explained how the World Bank also supports the government’s efforts to reform the maritime economy. For example, through the collaboration of seaweed aquaculture and data collection through the Lautan Sejahtera (Lautra) program.
While the Executive Director of Conservation of Indonesia, Meizani Irmadhiany, highlighted the importance of basic data and marine health assessments as a support for regional and international policies, including financial schemes. Both can help the government achieve maritime justice.
IOJI Chief Executive Officer, Mas Achmad Santosa explained how sea justice in a sustainable ocean economy can be achieved through the application of the “Three Ps” principle: effective protection, sustainable production, and just prosperity.
He cited the findings of injustice and challenges faced by coastal communities, including sea deprivation, degradation of environmental and ecosystem services, tenure injustice, and unequal distribution of economic benefits.
Solutions to achieving marine justice can be done, for example through “recognition of procedural rights, recognition and distribution rights of people who depend on the sea,” said Mas Achmad. He hopes that the government will mainstream the three arrangements and incorporate strong sustainability in their integration.
One thing that must not be forgotten: the state must not exclude the role of coastal communities and small-scale fishermen in formulating policies towards maritime justice.