Indonesia: Fisheries Minister Receives WWF Leaders for a Living Planet Award

Ratri M. Siniwi Jakarta Globe 17 Sep 16;

Jakarta. Environmental conservation agency World Wildlife Fund has presented a "Leaders for a Living Planet" award to Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti.

The award celebrates individuals who have made a significant contribution to the conservation of the natural world and sustainable development. It was presented on Friday (16/09) in Washington, D.C., by WWF International President Yolanda Kakabadse during the "Our Ocean" conference organized by the United States Department of State.

"Susi Pudjiastuti has spent a lifetime fighting illegal fishing, ensuring science-based sustainable fisheries management and promoting marine health by expanding Indonesia's network of marine parks and protected areas. There is no greater champion fighting for the health of Indonesia's oceans," Kakabadse said.

During her term, the minister has issued a number of policies to protect the ocean, including ratifying the Port State Measures Agreement, which prohibits the use of environmentally damaging fishing methods. She has also established marine conservation areas, and has been promoting protection of marine life.

According to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (Unfao), Indonesia's aquaculture is the second largest in the world. Illegal fishing practices, however, cause an annual state loss of $20 billion.

"Susi Pudjiastuti has shown consistency in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing to protect Indonesia's marine resources. As a maritime country, Indonesia's maritime assets must be protected and managed effectively for the welfare of its own people and the preservation of the planet," WWF Indonesia Coral Triangle program director Wawan Ridwan said in a statement.

WWF's Leaders for a Living Planet award was founded in 2000, and has so far been given to 100 leaders in environmental conservation.

Minister Susi Pudjiastuti recognized as champion for oceans
Antara 17 Sep 16;

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - WWF (World Wildlife Fund) has presented Susi Pudjiastuti, Indonesia Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, its prestigious Leaders for a Living Planet Award.

The award was presented by WWF International President Yolanda Kakabadse at an event coinciding with US Department of States Our Ocean Conference in Washington, D.C., on Friday.

"Ms. Pudjiastuti has spent a lifetime fighting illegal fishing, ensuring science-based sustainable fisheries management, and promoting marine health by expanding Indonesias network of marine parks and protected areas. There is no greater champion fighting for the health of Indonesias oceans," Yolanda was quoted as saying in a WWF press statement.

The award recognizes individuals who make a significant personal contribution to the conservation of the natural world and sustainable development.

Throughout her career, Pudjiastuti has put in place significant policies to safeguard ocean health, including ratifying the Port State Measures Agreement, introducing minimum catch sizes for certain species, banning the use of harmful fishing gear that threatens the environment, establishing marine protected areas, and improving marine species protections.

"Minister Pudjiastuti has been strong and consistent in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing to protect Indonesias ocean resources. As a maritime country, Indonesias valuable ocean assets need to be fully protected and effectively managed for the prosperity of the people and the planet.WWF hopes Minister Pudjiastuti continues her bold actions improving fisheries sustainability along with establishing more marine protected areas that will also contribute to Indonesias commitment to the Aichi target," said Wawan Ridwan, the Coral Triangle Program Director of WWF Indonesia.

Over 100 individuals have received this award since 2000, recognizing a wide variety of initiatives ranging from local actions to protect wildlife, to leading government initiatives that achieve specific conservation goals.

Recent high-level recipients include Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-General, the Minister of Fisheries of Norway the Vice-Premier of China and the Ministers of Water Affairs of France, Togo and Benin.

The Leaders for a Living Planet award winners inspire environmental leadership and demonstrate personal responsibility to protect the environment.

Their actions represent an important contribution to the achievement of WWFs global conservation priority goals.

"When added together, multiplied and magnified, these actions make a major contribution to securing the status of our living world," WWF said.(*)