BACKGROUNDThe People Coalition for Fisheries Justice or KIARA is a non-governmental organization was established on October 2th, 2002 by 8 NGOs, those are Jaring PELA, JALA (Advocacy Network for North Sumatera Fisherfolks), Konphalindo, Yayasan Bina Desa Sadadjiwa, KELOLA, IMA, KIKIS, and Pesut Indonesia. Those 8 organizations agreed to initiate coalition that works in marine affairs dan fisheries issues.

Since its establishment, KIARA is committed to strengthen fisherfolks’ groups and community who living in coastal areas and small islands in order to obtain protection and welfare that feasible from the Government of Republic of Indonesia. Post 6th National Meeting in Jakarta on January 2015, the works of KIARA focused on: (1) Policy Reform; (2) Industrial shrimp farming and mangrove; (3) Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported Fishing (IUUF); and (4) Management of Coastal Resources and Small islands: Just and Sustainable.

In the process, KIARA see that the issue of marine and fisheries is not a mere domestic matter, but become a global affair. Therefore, in support of its performance, KIARA urges policy reforms that are not aligned with the location of Indonesian islands comprising tens of thousands of large and small islands with a coastline of 99,093 km, and the sea area of 6,315,222 million square kilometers. In addition, KIARA also conducts public education and campaigns in the realm of marine affairs and fisheries issues in support with accountable research and publications.

Since its establishment, KIARA has been recognized as an organization which is needed by people who are interested to explore the issue of marine and fisheries, as well as being one of the leading of non-governmental organization in Indonesia.

VISION and MISSIONVisionPeople’s sovereign managing fishery resources in fair and sustainable ways.

MissionFight for the principles of fisheries justice.

VALUES1. Gender Justice

2. Democratic

3. Inclusive

4. Accountable

5. Respect and acknowledge local wisdom

6. Equality

FOURTH PRINCIPLES OF FISHERIES JUSTICEFirst, the importance of country in promoting the principles of sustainable fisheries without debt, with priority on meeting the needs of national food self-sufficient.

Second, the importance of countries to provide and ensure fishing rights as citizens and their priviileges as traditional fishing, and provide maximum protection over their traditional waters.

Third, the importance of state to understanding fisheries activities as a source of food, the development of national culture, and a source of social economy.

Fourth, the importance of state to understanding fisheries activities as a complete matter, to interpret women’s involvement in the fisheries activities as a subject that is very important.

THE WORK AREASThe works of KIARA determined by NGOs and individual members through it National Meeting.

Policy reform

Profanity and inconsistency of the state policy in sphere of marine and fisheries increasingly worse. Various rules taken seem contrary to the basic ideals of the founding of the nation of Indonesia. Marine resources and coastal dredged out without leaving welfare for traditional fisherfolk, people living in coastal areas and small islands. Herein lies the urgency KIARA, to urged the government to reform its policies in the realm of marine affairs and fisheries.

Shrimp aquaculture industry and Mangrove

Since its emergence in Indonesia, shrimp aquaculture industry has given rise to environmental and social issues. This industry does not only perform the conversion of wetlands and mangroves, but also burden the people who living around the industry. On the other hand, the dominance

of transnational corporations (TNCs) in this industry have given a serious threat to national food sovereignty. Not to mention, foreign debt which adds to the financial burden of the state.

Ilegal, Unregulated, Unreported Fishing (IUUF)

More than 748 fishing vessels freely and dredge national fisheries resources illegally. Fisheries crime impact on national fisheries crisis, as a result of excessive export activity. By him, KIARA urged the Indonesian government to act actively at national and international level to combat the various models of fisheries crime, not excluding IUUF.

Coastal Resources Management and Small Island Fair and Sustainable

KIARA believes that local communities have the wisdom to manage marine and coastal resources. In addition to meeting the needs of life, they also preserve the sources of life. On this context, the need to campaign KIARA seeks active participation of local communities in managing coastal resources based on local wisdom that has long been their biological. On the other hand, the importance of state to guarantees and protects the region in managing fishing communities and traditional farmers is an obligation that cannot be marginalized.

National Secretariat Koalisi Rakyat untuk Keadilan PerikananJl. Kedondong Blok C Nomor 19, Perumahan Kalibata Indah, Jakarta 12750Telp./Faks: +62 21 799 4888; Email: kiara@kiara.or.id; Website: www.kiara.or.id