Jakarta. Indonesia and South Korea are currently joining forces to strengthen their respective fishery product quality assurance systems. 

Indonesia’s Marine Affairs and Fisheries is working alongside South Korea’s National Fishery Products Quality Management Service (NFQS). The partnership is part of the mutual recognition arrangement (MRA) that has been in place since 2016.

"As part of the MRA, we have agreed to conduct joint inspections of the upstream and downstream fishery product quality and safety assurance system," Ishartini, the Director General of the Marine and Fisheries Quality Assurance Agency (MFQAA), said in Jakarta. 

According to Ishartini, both the MFQAA and NFQS are competent in implementing quality assurance. The joint inspection also shows both countries’ commitment to improving the quality and safety standards of fishery products. It is also set to bolster the bilateral trade relations, especially for commodities in the marine and fishery industry. 

"This joint inspection is pivotal to strengthening Indonesia's role as a net exporter of world-class fishery products," Ishartini said.

In a meeting with the NFQS, Ishartini talked of MFQAA’s role in quality assurance. Starting with the support of Technical Implementation Units (UPT) located in every province in Indonesia, equipped with quality and safety laboratories, and regulating the implementation of the quality assurance system at the local level throughout the country. 

At the upstream level, the agency is in charge of the certification for good handling practices, aquaculture practices, fish drug production, and distribution, among others. They also deal with certification on good fish feed production practices as well as good handling practices on board fishing ports. 

At the downstream level, the agency handles certifications for good manufacturing practices, hazard analysis, and critical control points (HACCP), as well as good fish distribution management practices.

"These certifications demonstrate the principles of precautionary measures in carrying out supervision and control of the quality assurance of fish and fishery products. This is key for Indonesia to be a producer of quality and safe fish and fishery products in the world," she explained.

Ishartini said she was optimistic that her agency could help contribute to make the fisheries industry more sustainable and also to improve public health. The joint inspection will also be beneficial for fishery exporters to South Korea. The Korean delegation’s visit to Indonesia also aims at taking a closer look at fishery product production facilities in Indonesia.

"We assure them that Indonesian fishery businesses are also capable of producing quality products, thus minimizing rejections," Ishartini said.

Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono urges that quality assurance of fishery products should comprehensively take place. This is important to protect fish so they remain healthy, in good quality, and free from microplastics.