The Overseas Link

2024-07-24 03:52 PM - By Dr. Paul Anderson

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 FisheriesRare 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.

Dr. Paul Anderson

Dr. Paul Anderson

Director, Aquarium Fisheries
https://www.aquariumfisheries.com/

Dr. Anderson has co-managed $2.3M in grants, contracts, and scholarships; authored 30 scientific and popular publications; presented to global audiences of all ages; and developed 11 exhibits. His work has been featured in multiple international national news and media outlets.