Aquarium Fisheries - Word on the Shore , IndoReefFishAquarium Fisheries - Word on the Shore , IndoReefFishhttps://www.aquariumfisheries.com/blogs/indoreeffishSat, 06 Dec 2025 11:59:45 -0800http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Honoring the life and legacy of Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley]]>https://www.aquariumfisheries.com/blogs/post/in-memoriamIt is with profound sadness that we honor the passing of  Mrs. Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley , Founder and Executive Director of the  LINI Found ]]>
Mrs. Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley. Photo by S. Fossa.
Mrs. Gayatri Reskodihardjo-Lilley. Photo by S. Fossa.


It is with profound sadness that we honor the passing of Mrs. Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley, Founder and Executive Director of the LINI Foundation. Gayatri passed away this November, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy in marine conservation, coastal community empowerment, and ethical fisheries development.  


Under her guidance, LINI pioneered the development of the first community-run marine conservation and aquaculture training center in Indonesia. She worked tirelessly to empower coastal communities, especially women, with the tools and training needed to build sustainable livelihoods while protecting the reefs they call home.

 

Gayatri speaks to fishers during a training program in Bali.  Photo courtesy of LINI and Rare.



LINI staff tour visitors through its Aquaculture and Training Center in North Bali.  Photo courtesy of LINI.

At Aquarium Fisheries, we had the privilege of working closely with Gayatri through the IndoReefFish program—an innovative fisheries improvement project that she helped envision and lead. IndoReefFish continues to evolve as a model for what responsible, community-centered sourcing can look like in the aquarium trade. This vision would not have been possible without her leadership, deep knowledge, and unwavering dedication to Indonesia’s marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them.  

IndoReefFish team members meet for the first time at Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in Jakarta.
IndoReefFish team members meet for the first time at Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in Jakarta.

Aquarium Fisheries Director Dr. Paul Anderson reflects on meeting Gayatri in person for the first time: 

     “By the time we finally met face-to-face in Jakarta, we had already spent years laying the foundation for what would become the IndoReefFish program. When we exchanged our first ‘hello,’ there was a palpable sense of anticipation—both of us understood the significance of what we were building and the potential it held to reshape sustainable marine aquarium fisheries, with Indonesia’s fishery as a leading model.

     "That week marked a milestone: We launched IndoReefFish with an introductory workshop and presented it to Indonesia’s national fisheries agency, INOFE (Indonesia's fish exporters’ association), and other key stakeholders in the country’s marine aquarium trade. 

     "From that point on, I knew that Gayatri’s charisma, credibility, and deep-rooted passion would carry this program forward. She had a unique ability to connect with people and to turn bold ideas into action. Her leadership set IndoReefFish on a path to success.”

Gayatri speaks to the audience at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2024. Photo by W. Suherfian/Rare.
Gayatri speaks to the audience at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2024. Photo by W. Suherfian/Rare.



Gayatri was a mentor, a changemaker, and a friend. Her legacy lives on in every fisher trained, every reef restored, and every fish ethically sourced through the IndoReefFish program.


We extend our deepest condolences to Gayatri’s family, the entire LINI team, and all those whose lives she touched. Her passion and impact will continue to guide our work.


Rest in peace, Gayatri. You will be missed, but never forgotten.

]]>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 08:43:27 -0500<![CDATA[Sustaining the Reef:  Aquarium Fishers Learn to Fish Smarter in Indonesia]]>https://www.aquariumfisheries.com/blogs/post/fisher-trainingAquarium fishers from villages working with our partners Rare and LINI converged at the LINI Aquaculture and Training Center in North Bali to attend their first-ever training program focused on sustainable fishing.]]>

Guest Authors: Ryannyka Dwi Astuti, Eveline Kurniati, and Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley, LINI

Aquarium fishers teach each other netting and bagging techniques on the reefs of North Bali. Photo courtesy of LINI and Rare.

For most marine aquarium hobbyists, the journey of a colorful fish from reef to tank is a mystery.  For Indonesian fishers, it’s a livelihood facing mounting challenges. To address this, the partners of IndoReefFish are working directly with fishers to improve their methods and protect the coral reefs that serve as vital habitats for aquarium fishes.



This past December, aquarium fishers from villages working with our partners Rare and LINI converged at the LINI Aquaculture and Training Center in North Bali to attend their first-ever training program focused on sustainable fishing. 



Participants included nine fishers from Central and Southeast Sulawesi, including the Banggai Islands, two village buyers, and local fisheries managers from each region.



Group photo. The sign reads "Practical Training for Management of Marine Ornamental Fish." Photo courtesy of LINI and Rare

The Trainers


Stakeholders of Indonesia's marine aquarium trade came from across the country to lend their expertise:


  • North Bali's Mina Lestari fishers' group
  • INOFE:  Indonesia's Ornamental Fish Exporters' Association
  • Cahaya Baru, a model exporter in the nation
  • LINI

Training Topics

Introduction and construction of environmentally friendly fishing gear, such as nets and scoops.
Hands-on practice in net-based methods for capturing marine aquarium fishes.
Post-capture handling and packing techniques.
Safe boating and diving techniques.

Participants expressed gratitude for the new knowledge they gained, and pledged to adopt net-capture methods as part of their dedication to sustainable practices.  These fishers have since returned to their villages, sharing their newfound skills with others in their communities, creating a ripple effect of positive change.  This training represents a significant step toward advancing Indonesia’s marine aquarium fish industry by supporting better fish quality, fisher well-being, and the health of marine ecosystems.


IndoReefFish is empowered by its partners:  The John G. Shedd Aquarium, Aquarium Fisheries, Rare and LINI; the support of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, as well as marine aquarium fishery businesses, associations, and agencies across Indonesia. This program is sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

]]>Thu, 06 Feb 2025 12:03:00 -0500<![CDATA[Rare:  Empowering Communities to Co-Manage Local Fisheries]]>https://www.aquariumfisheries.com/blogs/post/rareRare's Fish Forever Program in Indonesia works collaboratively with fishers, community leaders, and governments to establish Managed Access with Reserves.]]>

Guest Authors

Stuart Campbell, Senior Director, Rare Indonesia

Raymond Jakub, Applied Science Director, Rare

Tropical coastal seas are among our planet's main fishing grounds, supporting nearly 500 million people and harboring a significant portion of marine biodiversity. However, effective management and protection of these waters remain a critical challenge. IndoReefFish partner Rare, through its Fish Forever program, has been a pioneer in promoting community co-management in small-scale fisheries around the world, demonstrating the efficacy of a localized, community-led approach.  Since its inception in 2013, Fish Forever has expanded its reach across eight countries, 1,926 coastal communities, 160,000 fishers, 282 local leaders, 100 staff members, and 150 partners; all working collaboratively to sustain these vital coastal ecosystems. 

The program's cornerstone is the Managed Access with Reserves (MA+R) model, a dual approach combining no-take reserves with managed marine areas. No-take reserves are designated zones where fishing is prohibited, allowing fish populations and habitats to regenerate. In contrast, managed marine areas grant rule-abiding local fishers preferential rights to fish, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility among the community members.


The traditional top-down fisheries management approach often falls short in these diverse and widespread coastal communities. Fish Forever’s community-led strategy, however, empowers local fishers and their communities to manage and protect their coastal resources. The MA+R model involves the local government and fishers in cooperative management, ensuring sustainable use and protection of coastal waters.

Rare's community-led approach includes fishers and their families in planning and decision-making. Photo courtesy of Rare.

Unique among NGOs, Rare's Fish Forever program leverages a behavior-centered approach, integrating biological, behavioral, and social sciences to foster sustainable fisheries management. This innovative method strengthens community-led initiatives and restores marine ecosystems by encouraging positive fishing behaviors. Behavioral science has shown that when communities have a sense of ownership over their resources, they are more likely to manage them effectively. This participatory and inclusive approach ensures that local fishers, including underrepresented groups like women and youth, are involved in the decision-making process.  The outcomes of this inclusive, behavior-centered approach revitalize coastal habitats and secure livelihoods for future generations. 


Fish Forever empowers traditionally marginalized communities with the rights, tools, and knowledge to manage their resources effectively. Communities determine the size and placement of reserves, agree on fishing rules, and organize enforcement against illegal activities. This inclusive approach also involves participatory data collection, planning, and decision-making, ensuring equitable participation from all community members.

In Indonesia, Fish Forever has made significant strides, focusing on four provinces rich in marine biodiversity. The country’s coastal fishers form a vital part of its cultural heritage and economy. However, unsustainable fishing practices and external stressors like climate change pose significant threats. To address these challenges, Fish Forever has worked with over 600 coastal communities in the nation, establishing co-managed fisheries access areas covering over 10,000 square kilometers of coastal waters.


Fish Forever's success in Indonesia highlights the program's ability to adapt its model to different contexts, including the management of aquarium fisheries. By collaborating with organizations like the Shedd Aquarium, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and Aquarium Fisheries in the context of IndoReefFish; Fish Forever diversifies its approach, tackling the unique challenges of unregulated aquarium fishing practices.


Coastal aquarium fisheries provide economic and livelihood outcomes for many fishing communities. They are largely unmanaged at the community level and are highly dependent on financial and economic drivers that influence price supply and demand through the supply chain. Rare believes that tackling poorly regulated and unmanaged aquarium fishing practices can be achieved using the MA+R model. 

Aquarium Fisheries Director Paul Anderson (left) and Rare's Applied Science Director Raymond Jakub (center left) consult with Indonesian fishers to ID aquarium fish species found on their local reefs.
Rare's collaboration with IndoReefFish has benefitted the organization by diversifying its small-scale fisheries program to fisheries, fishers and fish buyers that are new to it.  The program empowers Rare to develop relationships with many actors in the Indonesian marine aquarium fishery and trade to address a unique and challenging issue of improving the sustainability of largely unregulated aquarium fisheries in the nation.  This work will add to the portfolio of management strategies Rare, communities and government test and innovate to address sustainability and livelihood issues across coastal communities. Having a diversity of approaches to learn from allows Rare to better adapt to new challenges in the fisheries management and sustainability arena moving forward.


IndoReefFish is empowered by its partners, and the support of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums 

and marine aquarium fishery businesses, associations, and agencies across Indonesia. This program is sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

]]>Wed, 09 Oct 2024 13:40:46 -0400<![CDATA[Meet Indonesia's Marine Aquarium Fisheries Conservation Organization]]>https://www.aquariumfisheries.com/blogs/post/latcNorth Bali fishing communities have been fortunate to benefit from LINI's Aquaculture and Training Center, sited at the Les Village, working alongside fishers for many years to support the sustainable management of their fishery.]]>

Guest Authors:  Ryannyka Dwi Astuti, Research and Education Manager, and Adriel Prayoga, Research Officer, LINI

This past Spring, IndoReefFish partners at LINI invited Aquarium Fisheries' Director Paul Anderson to visit the Les Village marine aquarium fishing community. This community benefits from LINI's Aquaculture and Training Center (LATC) sited at its village and working alongside it for many years to support the sustainable management of its marine aquarium fishery.

Young (and rapidly growing!) Banggai cardinalfish flit about one of the aquaria at the LATC. Photo by P. Anderson/Aquarium Fisheries.

The Center was established in 2015; offering a hub for the Les Village and nearby fishing communities to convene and learn best practices in fishing, handling, transport, and trade.  Also, the Center features a large aquaculture facility, where the staff and community have developed low-tech methods for aquaculturing popular aquarium fish species like clownfish, and the Banggai cardinalfish.  This activity is meant to reduce fishing demand for the wild caught counterparts of these vulnerable species.


While the LATC empowers fishers (mostly men) by providing training in best fishing practices; for the women of fishers' households, the LATC offers training in fish aquaculture and husbandry practices; and employs women in the aquaculture facility as well as in housekeeping roles.  LINI thus plays a direct role in providing for the livelihoods of its village community.

Fishers use air-filled carboys to help them float and transport artificial reef structures to their final placement site on the reefs. Photo courtesy of LINI.
LINI has also been engaged in a concerted effort alongside the village community to place artificial reefs along the North Bali coastline to supplement the coral reef habitat and support the marine aquarium fishery.  Together, they began deploying these structures in 2010, and now have over 2,500 structures that provide new homes for corals, reef fishes, and invertebrates.  The fishers' involvement in this project yields supplemental income for them and their households.


Artificial reef placement is followed by routine monitoring, which offers insight to LINI and village stakeholders with regard to artifical reef design and placement strategies that optimize reef biodiversity.  This group and program has now established itself as the North Bali Reef Restoration Monitoring Network.  Beginning in 2021, the Network launched an internet-based platform to share monitoring data.



LINI envisions its North Bali reefs as a thriving ecosystem where coral reef biodiversity flourishes while supporting a sustainable fishery that provides for the livelihoods of its community.


LINI is thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with the international conservation NGO Rare, as well as conservation-focused stakeholders of the world's largest destination of marine aquarium fishes in the global trade, the U.S.:  The Shedd Aquarium and Aquarium Fisheries.  Together, they are developing a model develop for sustainable sourcing of marine aquarium fishes that links public aquaria and zoos to the reefs that they exhibit, and the people whose livelihoods depend on those reefs.  This program is called IndoReefFish.


IndoReefFish is empowered by its partners, and the support of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums 

and marine aquarium fishery businesses, associations, and agencies across Indonesia. This program is sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

]]>Thu, 05 Sep 2024 10:48:28 -0400<![CDATA[Elevating Indonesian Marine Aquarium Fisheries to the National Level]]>https://www.aquariumfisheries.com/blogs/post/irf-introductory-workshopIn March 2024, the IndoReefFish Team convened for a workshop with marine aquarium fishery stakeholders in Indonesia to elevate the conversation of marine aquarium fisheries sustainability to the national level.]]>

Guest Author:  Ryannyka Dwi Astuti, Research and Education Manager, LINI

This past Spring, the IndoReefFish Team convened for a workshop with marine aquarium fishery stakeholders in Indonesia. These stakeholders included representatives from the country's national fisheries agency, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), the national research agency BRIN, and the marine aquarium exporters associations INOFE and AKKII. These organizations came together to elevate the conversation of marine aquarium fisheries sustainability to the national level, introducing the program IndoReefFish.

Mr. Sarminto from Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs (R) with Aquarium Fisheries' Director Paul Anderson (L). Mr. Sarminto spoke on the Ministry's management of protected fish species. Photo by R. Jakub/Rare.

Mr. Sarminto (MMAF) spoke of the Ministry's management of protected fish species.  These include several aquarium fish species, both freshwater and marine, listed in the appendices of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES).  For example, in partnership with other Indonesian stakeholders including IndoReefFish partner LINI, the Ministry has executed a comprehensive fishery management program for the Banggai cardinalfish, a species uniquely vulnerable to fishing pressure.  These efforts came about as an outcome of years of international deliberations over the management of this species in CITES meetings.  In fact, the nation has named this species a Nationally Protected Species in 2018. 


For the broader marine aquarium trade, however; there are no specific regulations regarding marine aquarium fishes.  The marine aquarium fishery falls under the governance of the Directorate General of Aquaculture.  Fortunately, the nation's provincial Quarantine offices record aquarium fishes traded into and out of the provinces, providing a valuable trade data resource.  However, the quality and completeness of the data can vary across provinces.


The Indonesian research agency BRIN acknowledges the complexity of this fishery and trade, and is beginning to unravel this complexity through its Indonesia MANTAP program, which seeks to understand the biodiversity and socioeconomics of the trade.

LINI's Research Officer Adriel Prayoga presents an overview of the Indonesian marine aquarium fish trade. Photo by R. Dwi Astuti/LINI.


LINI's Research Officer Adriel Prayoga followed with an overview of Indonesia's marine aquarium fish trade.  Having focused on the sustainable development of the nation's marine aquarium fishery and trade since its inception in 2008, LINI has a keen understanding of its dynamics to share with stakeholders. 

IndoReefFish is a program brought to Indonesia by the public aquarium community, out of a recognized need to develop a model for sustainable sourcing of marine aquarium fishes that links public aquaria and zoos to the reefs that they exhibit, and the people whose livelihoods depend on those reefs.  To this end, Shedd Aquarium's Chief Animal Operations Officer Peggy Sloan presented this initiative on behalf of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to the audience--all the way from Chicago!

Rare's Applied Science Director Raymond Jakub speaks on the integration of Rare's Managed Access + Reserves approach to sustainable fisheries management with the IndoReefFish program. Photo by R. Dwi Astuti/LINI.


Aquarium Fisheries' Director Paul Anderson delivered an overview of the goal, aims, and planned programming of IndoReefFish, followed by a presentation from Rare's Applied Science Director Raymond Jakub on Rare's Managed Access + Reserves approach to sustainable marine fisheries management; and its aim to integrate its approach into the IndoReefFish program in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.
INOFE's Secretary Wiwie lays out Indonesia's member exporters' commitments to sustainable business practices. Photo by P. Anderson/Aquarium Fisheries.

The IndoReefFish Team presentations were followed by a presentation by Wiwie, Secretary of INOFE, the country's marine aquarium fish exporters' association; who laid out a comprehensive strategy affirming the organization's commitment to promoting sustainable business practices among its members.


Overall, the IndoReefFish program received a warm welcome from all invited representatives, encompassing both industry and government sectors.  An optimistic outlook emerged of the potential for the program to extend involvement of stakeholders to other relevant institutions and organizations, elevating the priority of marine aquarium fisheries management at the national level.


IndoReefFish is empowered by its partners, and the support of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and marine aquarium fishery businesses, associations, and agencies across Indonesia. This program is sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

]]>Wed, 07 Aug 2024 10:54:16 -0400<![CDATA[The Overseas Link]]>https://www.aquariumfisheries.com/blogs/post/the-overseas-linkThe vision of Indonesia's Marine Fish Exporters Association is to be a forum that prioritizes environmentally sustainable practices; and to represent its community to the Indonesian government and fisheries agencies.]]>

Guest Authors

Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley, Founder and Executive Director, LINI

Wiwie, Secretary, Indonesia Marine Ornamental Fish Exporters Association

This past Spring, IndoReefFish partners Gayatri Reksodihardjo-Lilley and Adriel Prayoga from LINI, an Indonesian fisheries conservation NGO, introduced Aquarium Fisheries' Director Paul Anderson to Mr. Djohan Tjiptadi and Wiwie of CV. Cahayabaru, a marine aquarium fish exporter with locations in Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia.


Cahayabaru is committed to high standards of care for the fishes that pass through their facilities. Both facilities are impressive, featuring large and advanced water filtration and sterilization systems. Cahayabaru also trains their suppliers in best fish handling and transport practices. They attest that this outreach produces results in terms of better quality and condition of fishes received, with higher survival.

Cahayabaru has been exporting marine aquarium fishes from Indonesia to points around the globe since 1975.  They were one of the few exporters to achieve Marine Aquarium Council (MAC) Certification, and their Certificate still hangs proudly in their office.  In recent years, Cahayabaru has conducted programming with IndoReefFish partner LINI, for example by hosting fish health workshops for Indonesian fish traders.


Cahayabaru is a leading voice in the Indonesian marine aquarium trade.  Djohan serves as Chairman of AKKII, the Association of Coral, Shells, and Fish in Indonesia, and also on the Board of Directors for Nusatic, a major international aquarium fish exhibition in the country.  Wiwie serves as Secretary for INOFE, the nation's aquarium fish exporters' association. 

Wiwie speaks to Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries on the role of Indonesia's marine aquarium fish industry in supporting sustainable fisheries. Photo by P. Anderson/Aquarium Fisheries.

Indonesia's marine aquarium fish exporters have been organized in an association since 2003.  The Indonesian Ornamental Fish Exporters Association, INOFE, is comprised of 33 companies.  Their Vision is to be a forum for a community of Indonesian aquarium fish traders that prioritizes environmentally sustainable practices; and to represent this community to the Indonesian government and fisheries agencies.


INOFE sees its roles in promoting sustainable business practices as multi-faceted.  They aim to:

  • Train and develop fishers to catch fish using environmentally friendly methods
  • Pursue continuous innovations in fish capture, handling, and transport
  • Promote an order-driven trade, which meets demand without oversupply
  • Build capacity for aquaculture
  • Promote the marketing of Indonesia's marine aquarium fish trade overseas
INOFE also aims to promote cooperation with governments and fisheries agencies by:
  • Educating fishers about fisheries permits and regulations required for compliant and legitimate fishery operations
  • Promoting catch and trade data collection among fishers and traders
  • Collaborating on fisheries and trade research

INOFE is enthusiastic to collaborate with IndoReefFish to develop a model for sustainable sourcing of marine aquarium fishes that links public aquaria and zoos to the reefs that they exhibit, and the people whose livelihoods depend on those reefs. In particular, INOFE is keenly interested in IndoReefFish's strategy to conduct a Value Chain Analysis of Indonesia's marine aquarium trade; which may result in recommendations to align sustainability with better business operations and profits of fishers and traders across the country's value chain.

IndoReefFish is empowered by its partners:  The John G. Shedd Aquarium, Aquarium Fisheries, Rare and LINI; and the support of marine aquarium fishery businesses, associations, and agencies across Indonesia. This program is sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

]]>Wed, 24 Jul 2024 15:52:18 -0400<![CDATA[Meet the Marine Aquarium Fishers of Les Village:  Jabo]]>https://www.aquariumfisheries.com/blogs/post/JaboBali fisher Jabo invites us in to experience a day in the life of a marine aquarium fisher.]]>

Guest Authors:  Adriel Prayoga, Research Officer and Ryannyka Dwi Astuti, Research and Education Manager, LINI

Les Village, Bali Province, Indonesia. Image generated by Google Earth.

Come travel with the IndoReefFish Team to our next adventure in Bali Indonesia. Here, IndoReefFish partners Adriel Prayoga and Ryannyka Dwi from LINI, an Indonesian fisheries conservation NGO, introduced Aquarium Fisheries' Director Paul Anderson to fishers from Les Village, a community in North Bali where fishers have been collecting reef fishes for the marine aquarium trade for generations. LINI has been working with this fishing village for over a decade, providing training in sustainable fishing and business practices.


Our first stop was to the home of Nyoman (Jabo) Sujana, a veteran marine aquarium fisher in the village.  He invited us in for a conversation, and began by describing his fishing practices to us.        

The Fishing Boat
Prepping the Fishing Gear
Tools of the Trade

The Fishing BoatPrepping the Fishing GearTools of the Trade
cross-outdownloadexpandfocusnextprevzoom-inzoom-out

Jabo also fishes for food fish, though his main source of income is from the aquarium fishery.  The food fish fishery can offer more income, but higher operational costs come with it, as it requires going further out to sea (i.e., more boat fuel and other costs associated with preparing for a long boat trip).  Having the flexibility to fish for either commodity provides Jabo and his family some financial stability.  Jabo can switch to fishing for food fish when he may be unable to catch aquarium fishes due to bad weather, or lack of orders from his buyers.

LINI's Adriel Prayoga (L) and Aquarium Fisheries' Paul Anderson (R) pose for a group photo with Jabo Sujana (center) at his home in Les Village. Photo by R. Dwi/LINI.



One of the many ways in which working with LINI and his fishers' group Mina Lestari has improved his way of life is by converting from roving fishing to local fishing for the aquarium trade.  Like many veteran aquarium fishers in Les Village, Jabo used to travel long distances to far-off reefs to find "hot spots" of aquarium fishes to collect.  This practice was lucrative, but also expensive, as--like the food fish fishery--roving fishing entailed traveling by boat to far-away places for days or weeks at a time; along with those associated higher operational costs.


Now, fishing for aquarium fish locally makes for an easy day!  Jabo is usually home by noon and has plenty of time to spend with his family.  His quality of life is much improved by changing this important aspect of his fishing practice. 


IndoReefFish aims to introduce enlightened fishers like Jabo to other marine aquarium fishers across Indonesia.  Fishers in other remote regions of the country can learn valuable lessons in sustainable fishing and business practices from him, thanks to the relationship that LINI has fostered with him over the years.

IndoReefFish is empowered by its partners:  The John G. Shedd Aquarium, Aquarium Fisheries, Rare and LINI; and the support of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and marine aquarium fishery businesses, associations, and agencies across Indonesia. Its goal is to showcase a model of sustainable sourcing of marine aquarium fishes that links public aquaria and zoos to the reefs that they exhibit, and the people whose livelihoods depend on those reefs.  This program is sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.


Stay tuned for more adventures to come in Bali Indonesia!

]]>Thu, 30 May 2024 13:41:17 -0400<![CDATA[The Marine Aquarium Fishers of Les Village:  Mina Lestari]]>https://www.aquariumfisheries.com/blogs/post/mina-lestariMina Lestari is the fishers group under which the Les village marine aquarium fishers are organized. Group membership has its benefits.]]>

Guest Authors:  Adriel Prayoga, Research Officer and Ryannyka Dwi Astuti, Research and Education Manager, LINI

Les Village, Bali Province, Indonesia. Image generated by Google Earth.




IndoReefFish partners Adriel Prayoga and Ryannyka Dwi from LINI, an Indonesian fisheries conservation NGO, introduced Aquarium Fisheries' Director Paul Anderson to fishers from Les Village, a community in North Bali where fishers have been collecting reef fishes for the marine aquarium trade for generations. LINI has been working with this fishing village for over a decade, providing training in sustainable fishing and business practices.    

Aquarium Fisheries' Paul Anderson (right) and LINI's Adriel Prayoga (2nd from right) meet with Nengah Arsana (center), his son Gara (front), and their family to discuss their fishing practices. Photo by R. Dwi/LINI.



After our conversation with Jabo, featured in last week's newsletter; the team visited father and son team Nengah Arsana and Gede "Gara" Artanegara and their family.  Like Jabo, Nengah is also a veteran aquarium fisher in Les Village.  He has taught his son Gara his craft, and Gara now fishes alongside him, following in his footsteps.


As with Jabo, Nengah has also seen improvements to his fishing business after working with LINI for many years.  Nengah used to be a roving fisher and lamented the high operational costs associated with this practice.  In the past, he would be beholden to his buyers; borrowing money from them to afford the long fishing trips.  When it came time to sell his catch to his buyer, sales were offset by the expenses of the trip, making it difficult for him to save money for his family. 

Ryannyka Dwi (LINI) teaches Les Village fishers best practices for managing North Bali's coral reefs and fishing grounds.





Now, Nengah and Gara attest to improvements in their fishery business after participating in LINI's programs.  They've implemented the following practices in their operations:

  • Fishing locally
  • Using sustainable fishing methods
  • Conducting targeted fishing, specified by species and size, to fill buyers' orders
  • Packing fish with certain species to keep aggressive fish separated

The Mina Lestari Fishers Group

The IndoReefFish Team poses for a group photo with Made Partiana (left), the leader of the Mina Lestari fishers group.




The fishers have organized under a fishers group:  Mina Lestari.  The group provides many benefits to the fishers, and to the coral reefs that they fish. 


Some of the member benefits that fishers enjoy is thanks to the leader of the group, Made Partiana.  A marine aquarium fisher since 1997, Made is charismatic, outgoing, and has a good command of the English language.  This makes him particularly well-suited to represent the fishers to stakeholders in the community and region.  Made also runs a dive tourism and taxi business, contributing a portion of revenues back to the group.




    Fishers and the reefs that they fish also benefit from group membership in the following ways:

    • The group provides a community where fishers can learn sustainable fishing and business practices from each other
    • The group pitches in to a "rainy day" fund to support members in need.  These funds can be used to purchase fishing gear, or to help a member with burial costs upon the passing of a family member, for example.
    • The local government recognizes and considers the Mina Lestari as an important part of the community.  They have provided the group with fishing equipment and nets in the past, for example. 
    • The group has also established a good relationship with their district's fisheries authority.  The authority has a field staff member that regularly visits and updates the fishers with government information.


    IndoReefFish aims to introduce the concept of co-governance of marine aquarium fisheries to fishing villages across Indonesia.  Villages in remote regions of the country can be empowered to manage their own natural resources in partnership with their fisheries agencies; learning from the example set by Mina Lestari. 

    IndoReefFish is empowered by its partners:  The John G. Shedd Aquarium, Aquarium Fisheries, Rare and LINI; and the support of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and marine aquarium fishery businesses, associations, and agencies across Indonesia. Its goal is to showcase a model of sustainable sourcing of marine aquarium fishes that links public aquaria and zoos to the reefs that they exhibit, and the people whose livelihoods depend on those reefs.  This program is sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.


    Our next series of newsletters on IndoReefFish will introduce you to traders and exporters that purchase fish from these fishers, providing for the livelihoods of their families.  Stay tuned.

    ]]>    Thu, 30 May 2024 13:41:17 -0400    <![CDATA[The Role of the First Buyer in Marine Aquarium Fishing Communities]]>https://www.aquariumfisheries.com/blogs/post/First-BuyerFor Indonesian marine aquarium fishers, the first buyer is the direct link to the resources needed for their livelihoods.]]>

    Guest Author:  Raymond Jakub, Applied Science Director, Rare





    In many fishing villages around the world that collect fishes for the marine aquarium trade, the First Buyer is a vital link. The First Buyer connects fishers' catch to traders downstream in the value chain; and provides not only income, but sometimes lines of credit, fuel, and fishing gear to fishers and their families.


    During Aquarium Fisheries' recent visit to Talaga Raya, a Managed Access with Reserves that our partner Rare has cultivated with communities and the district fisheries agency in the region; we had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Lailinar, the First Buyer for the fishing village.  Ms. Lailinar is a member of the community along with all of the fishers and their families; and plays this important role in providing for their livelihoods. 




    Next to Ms. Lailinar's beachfront home is a modest hut where she holds and packages fish for sale to middlemen downstream in the value chain.  Electricity is limited in the village--they may receive ~4 hours of electricity per day powered by a generator.  Ms. Lailinar takes advantage of this electrical window to keep fish holding boxes aerated, which she supplements with battery-powered air pumps during "off" times. 




    Fortunately, because Ms. Lailinar lives and works seaside, she can also hold fish just offshore in baskets, where fish can be held in freshly circulating seawater until they are ready to be transported to middlemen down the value chain. 




    Rare's Haris Setiawan checks Ms. Lailinar's basket off the shore of the beach for the catch of the day.  Photo by P. Anderson/Aquarium Fisheries.




    IndoReefFish aims to provide Ms. Lailinar with training that she can incorporate in her business to improve fish care--and thus, fish survival and profits--from the point of capture to the point of sale & transport; as well as marketing and economic insights gleaned from a Value Chain Analysis that can give her the upper edge in negotiating fair prices for the fishes supplied by her village.



    The IndoReefFish Team poses for a group photo with Ms. Lailinar, district fishery officers, and a village fisherman.

    IndoReefFish is empowered by its partners:  The John G. Shedd Aquarium, Aquarium Fisheries, Rare and LINI; and the support of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and marine aquarium fishery businesses, associations, and agencies across Indonesia. Its goal is to showcase a model of sustainable sourcing of marine aquarium fishes that links public aquaria and zoos to the reefs that they exhibit, and the people whose livelihoods depend on those reefs.  This program is sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.


    Stay tuned for more adventures to come in other beautiful and unique regions of Indonesia!

    ]]>    Thu, 23 May 2024 09:24:07 -0400    <![CDATA[Meet Some of Indonesia's Marine Aquarium Fishers]]>https://www.aquariumfisheries.com/blogs/post/Talaga-RayaMeeting marine aquarium fishers where they are entails an adventure of planes, ferries, and automobiles!]]>

    Guest Author:  Raymond Jakub, Applied Science Director, Rare

    The IndoReefFish Team gathers for a group photo with leaders and members of a marine aquarium fishing village and district fishery officers in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.

    Aquarium Fisheries was introduced to fishers, traders, and other stakeholders across Indonesia this Spring by its fisheries conservation NGO partners Rare and LINI in the launch of IndoReefFish.

    This program aims to engage actors in Indonesia's marine aquarium trade to convene around comprehensive fisheries management that operates from a mindset of informed governance, supporting both ecological and human well-being.  This fishery and its actors will be introduced to public aquariums and zoos around the world by the John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago's world-class public aquarium, to showcase a model that links them to the reefs that they exhibit, and the people whose livelihoods depend on those reefs.  This program is sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and enjoys and the support of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and marine aquarium fishery businesses, associations, and agencies across Indonesia.
    Google Earth

    Rare's Raymond Jakub and Haris Setiawan connected Aquarium Fisheries Director Paul Anderson with Rare's Fish Forever staff and fisheries officers of the Southeast Sulawesi district as, together, they embarked on an adventure of airplanes, ferries, and fishing boats to reach the remote and beautiful region of Talaga Raya, a Managed Access with Reserves that Rare has cultivated in cooperation with the region's communities and district fisheries agencies.

    Rare's Raymond Jakub (center) and Haris Setiawan (right) accompany Aquarium Fisheries' Paul Anderson (left) as they board a 6-hour ferry from Kendari to Bau Bau in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Photo by R. Jakub/Rare.

    Once the boat finally arrived on shore of the fishing village in Talaga Raya, the IndoReefFish Team was warmly greeted by the community with snacks and delicious hot coffee. It was a hot and humid day, but somehow, the coffee hit the spot!


    The village has a central hall for functions, where the IndoReefFish Team gathered to meet with fishers, the Head of the village, district fisheries officers, and the sole buyer of aquarium fish for the village.

    The fishers described their day-in-the-life: They typically operate individually--one man, one boat, one compressor--from 7am-2pm.  Though without additional crew on-board, the fishers usually fish on the same reef, so that their boats anchor side-by-side.  Fishers bring with them a basket, scoop net, compressor, snorkel gear, and a battery-powered aerator. 

    Village fishers consult a Fish ID guide to identify aquarium fishes found on their coral reefs.

    The IndoReefFish team was surprised to learn that the fishers concentrate their fishing effort on just three species: 

    • Blue hippo tang (Paracanthurus hepatus)
    • Common clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
    • Majestic angelfish (Pomacanthus navarchus)
    The Blue hippo tang (Paracanthurus hepatus), or "Letter Six" as it is known by Indonesian fishers, is a hot commodity in the Indonesian marine aquarium fishery. Photo by N. Rupert (CC).

    This is because the village's remote location means that the fish sold there have higher price tags associated with them down the value-chain due to shipping and transportation costs.  So other, lower-value fish that may be locally abundant are not preferred by their buyers, which can be sourced closer to their businesses with less risk of mortality across shorter shipping routes.


    One of the goals of IndoReefFish will be to identify alternative fish species that may be both desirable in the market and resilient to fishing pressure; to support the livelihoods of fishers their families and to relieve heavy fishing pressure on the current species targeted.


    Upon learning about the IndoReefFish program and its aims to develop sustainable fisheries practices and support the livelihoods of the village's fishers; the community became excited about participating in this effort that will also bring them to the stage of a model program to be showcased throughout the nation and around the world.


    Stay tuned for more IndoReefFish adventures in Indonesia! 

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