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SDG Awards 2024

Finalist Profile

Welcome to the SDG Awards, a distinguished recognition program honoring the remarkable contributions of individuals, organizations, and initiatives in championing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Finalist Profile

Fisheries Resource Center of Indonesia (FRCI)

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Fisheries Resource Center of Indonesia (FRCI)
About Company
  • Company Type: Non-profit Organization
  • Founded in 2018
  • Located at Bogor, Indonesia
  • Employees: 11 – 50

SDG Awards 2024

Category - SDG 14 - Life below water
Voting Portal

Fisheries Management: Data collection and policy formulation for sustainable fisheries in Indonesia​.

➜ Fisheries Management: Data collection and policy formulation for sustainable fisheries in Indonesia​.
➜ Protecting Marine Biodiversity: They manage marine conservation areas and support the 30×30 initiative to protect 30% of marine habitats by 2030​.
➜ Reducing Unsustainable Practices: Combats destructive fishing and illegal wildlife trade, promoting sustainable practices in key regions​.
SDG_Icon 14

1. What is the local impact your organization has achieved regarding your selected SDG? (No Word Limit)

As an organization striving to achieve SDG14, the Fisheries Resource Center of Indonesia upholds a vision to provide alternative fisheries analysis and sustainable management of marine resources by leveraging technology and, most importantly, scientific data. We operate in 13 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), 4 area-based conservation measures, and 4 Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs), covering 13 different fisheries commodities. Through our Fisheries Big Data initiative, we revolutionize fisheries data collection using our innovations: Artificial Intelligence-powered Crowd Data Crawling (CDC) initiative and mobile app-based citizen science data collection scheme (IKAN), which can support more accurate and effective monitoring and decision-making. We are committed to sustainable fisheries management and conservation through various efforts, including formulating fisheries management plans and community empowerment initiatives. We also implement a Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) for snapper and grouper in Saleh Bay, West Nusa Tenggara Province, which supports the local government and fishers in order to achieve MSC certification for sustainable fisheries. In our MPA management work, we enhance community resilience by restoring blue carbon ecosystems like mangroves and seagrasses in two provinces, which impacts over 13,300 hectares of community-conserved areas. Additionally, we support small-scale fisheries management in the Liukang Tangaya MPA by involving communities in surveillance against destructive fishing, developing alternative livelihoods, and collecting fisheries data. Our organization also assists the government of Indonesia in developing and implementing Ocean Accounts, which would act as a scientific basis for a sustainable marine and fisheries management, such as MPA designation, blue economy, marine spatial planning, and marine use permit issuance. We achieve this through conducting pilot projects in 10 national MPAs, mapping the coastal ecosystems on a national scale, developing the Ocean Accounts Indonesia Dashboard, capacity building, and contributing to the Indonesian National Standard for Ocean Accounting. In addition, we actively participate in Elasmobranch (shark and ray) conservation by building government capacity to combat illegal Elasmobranch trade, training local champions to spearhead the rhino ray conservation efforts through citizen science, and collecting vital data on Elasmobranch supply chains, spawning grounds, and coastal community socio-economic condition.

2. What is the global impact your organization has achieved regarding your selected SDG? (No Word Limit)

The Fisheries Resource Center of Indonesia supports international conservation goals. Not only the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we also contribute to the effort for achieving the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) target of 30x30 (i.e. conserving 30% of marine area by 2030), the High Level Panel for Sustainable Ocean Economy (HLP-SOE), and the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Our efforts also support the implementation of international agreements like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), ensuring sustainable use and conservation of marine resources worldwide. Our work in blue carbon ecosystems, most notably in Java Island’s largest mangrove forest of Segara Anakan, not only contributes to local conservation efforts but also plays a crucial role in global climate change mitigation by sequestering carbon and enhancing the health of coastal environments worldwide. Our blue carbon initiative is also crucial for supporting Indonesia's commitments under its Second Nationally Determined Contributions (SNDC) on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As a member of the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP), our organization also plays a role in the global ocean policy by developing knowledge products and facilitating the broader adoption of the Ocean Accounting framework. This framework helps countries integrate marine ecosystem health into national and international economic assessments, fostering sustainable ocean management practices globally. Additionally, we contribute to global sustainable fisheries practices by promoting data-driven policymaking. Through our work in advancing fisheries data collection and management, we also set benchmarks that may provide a model for other practitioners worldwide to improve their fisheries data systems. Last, we also promote knowledge sharing and best practices by sharing our experiences and lessons learned from various projects. By participating in international forums and collaborations, we help build capacity and inspire similar initiatives, contributing to global efforts in marine conservation and sustainable fisheries management.

3. What is the scalability of your innovation and how do you plan to achieve it? (No Word Limit)

Our innovations are highly scalable, with several pathways to expand its impact. First, we plan to improve our technical infrastructure, both in hardware and software, to enhance our use of artificial intelligence (AI). We also intend to expand our utilization of AI, not only for mining data on fisheries commodities from all over the internet, but also for monitoring illegal wildlife trade, allowing us to expand our surveillance capabilities and automate detection processes. Additionally, we aim to expand our citizen science initiatives by partnering with more community groups, universities, and other NGOs. This collaboration will empower more individuals and organizations to contribute to data collection and conservation efforts, significantly broadening our impact. Looking forward, our goal is to develop a national-scale fisheries knowledge management system. This system will catalog data and provide comprehensive insights for stakeholders across the country, enabling more informed decision-making and policy development. Through these strategies, we plan to ensure that our innovation can be effectively scaled and inclusively engaged to meet broader conservation and management challenges.

4. What is your organization’s unique strategy for using technology to achieve your selected SDG? (150 Words Limit)

Our organization’s unique strategy for achieving the SDG14 centers on the science-to-policy nexus, where we ensure that science-informed policies are effectively formulated and implemented to improve the governance of oceans and fisheries. As Indonesia’s fisheries are moving from a data-limited state, we develop alternative approaches for data collection and analysis, including the use of AI through our Crowd Data Crawling (CDC) initiative. In this initiative, we have trained Auto-GPT AI to mine real-time fisheries Big Data from across the internet, automatically indexing and displaying it for analysis. Additionally, our citizen science mobile app, IKAN, empowers local communities by involving fishers in data collection and conservation efforts, creating local champions. We also optimize social media and audiovisual mediums to mainstream knowledge products and strengthen collaboration with partners, ensuring widespread impact and engagement.

5. What challenges did you encounter while working for your selected SDG, and how did you address them? (150 Words Limit)

While working toward SDG14, we faced significant challenges. The vastness of the country, coupled with the highly dynamic nature of its fisheries and oceans, made data collection difficult and costly, especially with funding limitations. To address this, we developed alternative approaches for data collection and analysis, such as using AI for real-time data crawling and leveraging citizen science through the mobile app IKAN. Another challenge was the technological limitations of human resources. To overcome this, we focused on capacity building and community engagement, providing training and support to local communities and fishers. By equipping them with the necessary skills and tools, we not only enhanced data collection but also fostered local ownership and participation in conservation efforts. These strategies enabled us to effectively address the challenges and continue making progress toward our goals.

6. How did you engage local communities and stakeholders in your work, and what was their feedback? (150 Words Limit)

We engaged local communities and stakeholders through education, involvement, and empowerment. We organized workshops and training sessions to educate communities about sustainable practices and the importance of marine conservation. We actively involved them in data collection and conservation efforts, ensuring they had the tools and knowledge to get involved in adaptive management, from planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. We also provided support to the government of Indonesia at both national and local levels, aligning our efforts with their policies and goals. The feedback from the communities has been overwhelmingly positive. For instance, in our rhino ray conservation project, local champions have shown enthusiasm by voluntarily participating in data collection and releasing captured juveniles. Their willingness to contribute underscores the critical importance of stakeholder engagement in achieving successful conservation outcomes and fostering community ownership.

7. Which organizational skills and resources did you use to deliver goods/services without harming the environment or society? (150 Words Limit)

We utilized several key organizational skills to deliver our services sustainably. Our data-driven decision-making ensures that our interventions are based on solid evidence, enhancing positive environmental and societal outcomes. Adaptive management and continuous learning allow us to adjust our strategies based on new data and mutually-agreed measures, optimizing our impact. Education and advocacy play crucial roles in raising awareness and promoting sustainable practices. We also focus on building and maintaining strong partnerships with governments, communities, universities, donors, and other NGOs, enhancing the effectiveness and reach of our initiatives. In terms of resources, we leverage access to scientific experts and ongoing research to inform our strategies. We use up-to-date technological tools and platforms for data collection and analysis. Our educational materials, outreach programs, and advocacy campaigns support community engagement and behavior change. Additionally, our strong network of partnerships helps to amplify our impact and ensure the sustainability of our efforts.

8. In your view what roles do businesses, governments, and civil society should play in achieving the SDGs, and how can they collaborate effectively? (150 Words Limit)

We believe that achieving the SDGs requires active roles and collaboration from businesses, governments, and civil society. Governments should take the lead by creating and enforcing regulations and policies that promote sustainable development. Businesses need to adopt sustainable practices and integrate environmental and social considerations into their operations. Civil society plays a crucial role in advocating for change, collecting information, and implementing community-led management and surveillance initiatives. Effective collaboration among these stakeholders involves leveraging each other's strengths and clearly defining roles. It is essential for all parties to be open to sharing data and information to enhance transparency and coordination. By working together in this manner, we can combine efforts, resources, and expertise to drive meaningful progress towards the SDGs.

9. What advice do you have for individuals or organizations aiming to create positive change and support the SDGs? (150 Words Limit)

For individuals or organizations aiming to create positive change and support the SDGs, start by aligning your efforts with a common, large goal that unites everyone involved. However, when it comes to action, begin with small, attainable objectives and gradually increase your targets to build momentum and achieve meaningful progress. Collaboration is crucial—partner with other organizations, stakeholders, and community members to combine resources, expertise, and influence. By working together, you can amplify your impact and address complex challenges more effectively. Regularly assess and adapt your strategies based on feedback and new information to stay on track and maximize your contributions to the SDGs.

10. How would winning this SDG Award help you enhance your impact and expand your project? (150 Words Limit)

Winning the SDG Award would significantly enhance our impact and expand our project in several ways. It would help us reach a broader audience, increasing awareness and knowledge of our work and its benefits. This visibility could attract new collaboration partners and open doors to innovative initiatives, allowing us to leverage additional resources and expertise. Additionally, the recognition would help us build an international network, connecting us with global stakeholders and influencers who can support and amplify our efforts. This expanded network would not only enhance our project's reach but also enable us to share best practices and insights, further driving progress towards the SDGs.

11. What are your future objectives regarding your selected SDG? (150 Words Limit)

Our future objectives focus on expanding both the scale and scope of our work. We aim to increase our impact by extending our initiatives to more regions, thereby addressing a wider range of issues. Additionally, we plan to involve more partners (e.g. communities, government institutions, and other non-profits) to enhance local engagement and support. By strengthening these partnerships, we can ensure that our projects are more inclusive and effective, harnessing local knowledge and resources for greater success. Our goal is to create a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to achieving sustainable oceans and fisheries, ultimately driving more significant and sustainable positive change.

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