Estimating socio economic impacts of re-enacting a permit policy for foreign-made fishing vessels

The fishing permit moratorium for foreign-made fishing vessels applied since 2014 is one of the Indonesian Government efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The Ministry of Marine Affairs (MMAF) of the Republic of Indonesia has been planning to re-enact a permit policy for foreign-made fishing vessels to conduct fishing in Indonesian waters. This plan has raised different responses from relevant parties. This study aimed to estimate the socio economics impacts of re-enacting permits for foreign-made fishing vessels. Data were collected from in-depth interviews with representatives from the central government, local governments, and owners of foreign-made fishing vessels. The data were analysed using the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) model by comparing the costs and benefits of three policy plans. The first option is re-enacting the permits by exemptions on certain fishing areas and fishing gears; the second option is re-enacting the permits with restrictions on fishing area and fishing gear; and option three is continuing the moratorium. The results show that option two should have the greatest positive impact on economic aspects, as well as the least potential negative impacts. Some steps need to be taken by the government to re-enact the permits for foreign-made fishing vessels: (1) public communication before and after policy implementation; and (2) fishing licenses should be granted carefully with strict monitoring.