Technical Assistance II
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries continues to strengthen the Fishery Products Quality and Safety Assurance System by implementing a series of capacity-building programs facilitated by ARISE+ Indonesia.
On 20-23 September, auditors from the Directorate General of Capture Fisheries participated in a four-day training on Good Fish Handling Practices (CPIB) based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) in Benoa, Bali. Business operators and associations were also invited to take part in the training.
Addressing the participants, the Head of the Quality Control Center, the Fish Quarantine and Inspection Agency (BKIPM), Mr Widodo Sumiyanto, said the training objectives were twofold. In addition to enhancing the competence of auditors to deliver effective inspection of CPIB on the vessel, the training also aimed to raise awareness and improve the capacities of business operators on food safety and catch management requirements.
Highlighting the importance of audit quality to produce more reliable operator certification and improve trust in health export certificates, Mr Widodo appealed to the participants to actively engage in discussion and learn through the opportunity provided.
According to Mr Widodo, the training was also part of efforts to address the recommendations of the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) of the European Commission during the audit mission in 2020 to strengthen the competence of CPIB auditors.
ARISE+ Indonesia's Food Safety and Quality Management System Expert, Syamsul Arifin, delivered the training. The activity was coordinated by ARISE+ Indonesia's Standard and Conformity Expert, Arief Safari, and was part of ARISE+ Indonesia's support to the Government of Indonesia in improving Export Quality Infrastructure.
Topics covered during the four-day training included a review of EU regulations on fishery products exported to the EU, regulatory updates on capture fisheries in Indonesia, third-party international certification, HACCP implementation and CPIB certification on the vessels. The participants also learned to conduct an audit, including principles, standards, organisation, tools and auditing skills. The last training day was devoted to audit practice, with participants carrying out hygiene and food safety audits on five freezer vessels at the Benoa Fishing Port, Bali. The Inspectors then wrote audit reports to be presented and discussed together.
Hitler Sumah, an Inspector at the Benoa Fishing Port, said that the knowledge and expertise he obtained during the course would be very beneficial to supporting his daily professional responsibilities. He further recommended conducting HACCP training for fishing crews. "It is also vital to strengthen the capacity of fishing crews to improve our fish quality," Hitler said.
According to Hitler, the risk of fish contamination remained a challenge due to limited fuel storage space on small vessels. He proposed having cross-ministerial coordination and regulation synchronisation to address the issue.
Heri Hermanto, the director of fishery business operator in Jakarta, extended his appreciation for inviting the private sector to training. He said the session on regulations was relevant and beneficial to preparing export to the EU.
Heri also appreciated that, during the session, the private sector was consulted on the upcoming regulatory updates. "We are happy to be involved and consulted prior to the issuance of a regulation."
