Damaged and discarded fishing nets are becoming an increasingly visible challenge in Merauke, one of Indonesia’s most important fishing hubs. While Abandoned, Lost, or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) and End-of-Life Fishing Gear (EOLFG) are not yet widely recognised as a major environmental concern locally, recent field observations suggest that early, practical, and locally appropriate intervention is needed before the problem becomes more difficult to manage. 

Recognising the importance of early action, representatives from the ATSEA Interim Regional Secretariat and Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) visited Merauke, South Papua Province from 10 to 13 May 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to prepare practical, on-the-ground actions to address ALDFG and EOLFG in Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 718.

Over the four-day mission, the team met with a range of local stakeholders, including district and provincial government agencies, Musamus University, fishing communities, port authorities, and private-sector actors. These discussions helped build a clearer understanding of local fishing practices, existing waste management systems, possible collaboration models, and entry points for future ALDFG and EOLFG activities.

One of the clearest messages came from discussions with fishing communities in Samkai and Gudang Arang. Community members expressed their willingness to take part in environmental initiatives, particularly if there are clear and workable mechanisms for transporting, processing, and recycling discarded or unused nets.

At the same time, previous collection efforts showed that gathering nets alone is not enough. Without clear procedures, designated storage points, transport arrangements, and links to recycling or disposal options, collection activities are unlikely to be sustained.

The mission also found that significant quantities of damaged fishing nets have accumulated at private facilities in Gudang Arang. Some of these nets appear to be collected for resale, but information remains limited on who the buyers are, where the nets go, and whether they are eventually recycled, reused, or disposed of. Understanding these existing pathways will be an important step in designing future collection and recycling initiatives.

Encouragingly, local institutions showed strong interest in supporting future work. The Fisheries Agency of Merauke District, the Environment Agency, the Agriculture, Food, Marine Affairs and Fisheries Agency of South Papua Province, Musamus University, and Merauke Fishing Port all indicated their willingness to contribute to the next stages. Their involvement will be essential to ensure that ALDFG and EOLFG interventions are grounded in local priorities and supported by the right mix of technical, institutional, and community-based approaches.

Among these partners, Musamus University is well positioned to support baseline studies, community engagement, participatory monitoring, and data collection. Its research capacity and close connection with local communities will help ensure that future interventions are both evidence-based and relevant to local needs. 

The mission also underlined the need to improve information and reporting systems related to fishing gear loss. Stakeholders noted that any reporting mechanism must be simple, practical, and useful for fishers. Building trust will be critical. Fishers are more likely to participate when they understand the benefits of reporting and when the system is designed in a way that supports, rather than burdens, their daily activities.

Looking ahead, ATSEA will focus on several immediate priorities, including stakeholder mapping, rapid field assessments, community engagement, identification of temporary collection points, and feasibility studies for potential gear collection, buy-back, reuse, and recycling schemes. These steps will help lay the foundation for a locally driven and sustainable approach to ALDFG and EOLFG management in Merauke.

As a gateway to the Arafura Sea and an important fisheries hub in eastern Indonesia, Merauke offers a valuable opportunity to pilot practical solutions that can contribute to healthier marine ecosystems, reduced marine debris, and more sustainable fisheries. Through collaboration among government agencies, local communities, academia, and the private sector, the foundations are being laid for a stronger and more coordinated response to ALDFG and EOLFG challenges in the region.

By Johanis Fofied