Coastal Zones

Biography

Biography: Maria Dolorosa

Abstract

Fishing activities of Indonesian fishers within Australia’s waters have been undertaken for centuries and have been a focus of negotiation between the two countries. Through Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 1974 between Indonesia and Australia, the fisher’s activities that have lasted for centuries were institutionalized. The posters aims to describe a dilemma faced by the two countries in managing the fishing activities. Australia has an interest in protecting marine resources under its jurisdiction, whilst Indonesia has an interest to ensure sustainability of the fishers’ livelihood. Further, due to further depletion of the resources, the MoU was amended, and conditions for entry and take have been tighten, which bring significant impacts on the fishers’ livelihoods. In response to the challenges, the fishers have develop alternative livelihood strategies, but it does not stop them from undertaking fishing activities in the Northern Australia. However, a current study argues that fishing in the Northern Australia for traditional fishers is no longer a reliable activity due to declining resource, unsafe voyage, and intensive capital need. Therefore, it is important to support the fishers to diversify their livelihood activities. For them who still rely on fishing activities in the waters, it is important to ensure the safety of the voyage by applying better technology. However, to ensure marine resource sustainability as well as fishers’ livelihoods, a ‘close-open’ system on the area could be an option.