What Is Catch Certificate ?

What Is Catch Certificate ?
    A catch certificate is an official document that verifies fish and other seafood products were caught legally and in compliance with international, regional, and national fisheries regulations.
It is mainly used to prevent Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing from entering global markets. Many importing regions—such as the European Union (EU), the United States, and Japan—require catch certificates to ensure that seafood is traceable back to its source and harvested sustainably.
Key points about catch certificates:
●    Proof of legality: Confirms that the fish was caught by licensed vessels following proper fishing quotas and regulations.
●    Traceability: Tracks seafood from the point of capture through the supply chain to the consumer.
●    International trade requirement: Often mandatory for exporters wishing to sell seafood to certain markets (e.g., the EU Catch Certification Scheme).
●    Prevents IUU fishing: Helps combat illegal fishing, which harms marine ecosystems, undermines honest fishers, and disrupts global seafood trade.
Example: If a company in Indonesia exports tuna to the EU, they must present a catch certificate issued by the authorized fisheries authority, proving the tuna was caught legally and sustainably.

Step-by-Step Process of Issuing a Catch Certificate
1. Fishing Activity
●    Licensed fishing vessels go out to sea and catch fish in line with national and international regulations.
●    The vessel must keep logbooks recording species, quantity, location, and date of capture.
2. Landing and First Sale
●    Fish are landed at an approved port or landing site.
●    Authorities may inspect the catch to verify species, size, and weight.
●    The first buyer (often a processing company) receives a landing declaration or receipt.
3. Application for Catch Certificate
●    The fishing company or exporter submits an application to the competent authority (e.g., Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in Indonesia).
●    Documents typically required:
○    Vessel license & registration
○    Fishing logbook records
○    Landing declaration
○    Processing/transport documents (if applicable)
4. Verification by Authorities
●    The competent authority checks:
○    Vessel authorization (valid license, quota compliance).
○    Species legality (not IUU, endangered, or outside quota).
○    Consistency between logbook, landing data, and application.
5. Issuance of Catch Certificate
●    If all documents are valid, the authority issues the Catch Certificate (CC).
●    The certificate states:
○    Vessel details
○    Catch species, quantity, and area of fishing
○    Dates of catch and landing
○    Exporter details
●    The CC is signed and stamped by the competent authority.
6. Export Documentation
●    The exporter includes the Catch Certificate along with other export documents (health certificate, invoice, packing list).
●    The CC travels with the shipment to the importing country.
7. Import Control
●    Customs or food safety authorities in the importing country (e.g., EU Border Control Posts) check the CC.
●    If accepted, the shipment is allowed entry into the market.
●    If rejected (e.g., suspicious or incomplete CC), the shipment can be denied entry.
Countries/Regions Requiring a Catch Certificate when importing fish and seafood.
1.    European Union (EU)
○    Since 2010, all wild-caught marine fishery products (except aquaculture and some processed items) must have an EU Catch Certificate.
○    Applies to any non-EU country exporting seafood into the EU market.
2.    United States (USA)
○    Through the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP).
○    Not exactly called a “catch certificate,” but importers must provide harvest and supply-chain documentation for high-risk species (e.g., tuna, king crab, red snapper, mahi-mahi).
3.    Japan
○    Requires Catch Documentation Schemes (CDS) for certain species, especially bluefin tuna and other highly migratory species.
○    Japan follows regulations from international bodies like ICCAT (tuna) and CCAMLR (Antarctic toothfish).
4.    South Korea
○    Requires catch documentation for imports of certain species (especially tuna).
○    Often aligns with RFMO requirements.
5.    Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs)
○    Countries that are members of RFMOs must implement catch documentation systems for species under their mandate. Examples:
■    ICCAT → Atlantic tuna
■    CCAMLR → Patagonian & Antarctic toothfish
■    CCSBT → Southern bluefin tuna

ARTICLE 2 (SEPTEMBER 22, 2025)

Increasing Indonesian Fisheries Exports
1. Current Position of Indonesia in Global Fisheries
●    Indonesia is the second-largest fish producer in the world after China.
●    Key exports: tuna, shrimp, crab, seaweed, and tilapia.
●    Main markets: USA, EU, Japan, China, and ASEAN countries.
2. Challenges Facing Indonesian Fisheries Exports
●    IUU Fishing Concerns: Some shipments rejected due to lack of proper documentation (e.g., catch certificates).
●    Quality & Food Safety Standards: Importing countries impose strict SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) requirements.
●    Logistics & Cold Chain Issues: Inconsistent cold storage and transport reduce product quality.
●    Market Access Barriers: Tariffs and non-tariff barriers limit competitiveness.
●    Climate Change & Sustainability: Overfishing and habitat loss threaten long-term supply.
3. Strategies to Increase Fisheries Exports
1.    Strengthen Compliance & Traceability
○    Ensure all exports have catch certificates, health certificates, and eco-labels.
○    Invest in digital tracking systems for traceability (blockchain, QR codes).
2.    Improve Processing & Value-Addition
○    Move beyond raw exports → focus on processed, ready-to-eat products (fillets, canned tuna, frozen seafood).
○    Enhances shelf-life and increases export value.
3.    Expand to Emerging Markets
○    Diversify export destinations to Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe.
○    Reduce reliance on traditional markets like the US, EU, and Japan.
4.    Enhance Infrastructure & Logistics
○    Develop integrated cold chain systems from landing sites to ports.
○    Improve port facilities and export hubs in Eastern Indonesia.
5.    Sustainability & Certification
○    Promote eco-certifications (e.g., Marine Stewardship Council – MSC, Aquaculture Stewardship Council – ASC).
○    Global consumers increasingly demand sustainably sourced seafood.
6.    Government Support & Policy
○    Provide subsidies for cold storage, processing plants, and modern fishing gear.
○    Negotiate trade agreements to reduce tariffs and ease market entry.
4. Outlook
If Indonesia strengthens traceability, value addition, and sustainability, it can:
●    Boost export revenue significantly.
●    Position itself not just as a top seafood producer, but also as a trusted global supplier of sustainable seafood.
 How to Reduce the Challenges of Fisheries Exports
1. Tackle IUU Fishing and Documentation Issues
●    Action:
○    Strengthen monitoring of fishing vessels with Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and e-logbooks.
○    Ensure all shipments carry proper documentation: catch certificates, health certificates, and export permits.
○    Adopt digital traceability systems (QR codes, blockchain) to reassure importing countries.
2. Improve Product Quality and Safety
●    Action:
○    Upgrade processing plants to meet international HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) standards.
○    Provide regular training for fishermen and processors on handling, hygiene, and cold chain management.
○    Establish more certified laboratories to test seafood safety before export.
3. Strengthen Cold Chain and Logistics
●    Action:
○    Invest in modern cold storage facilities at fishing ports and airports.
○    Improve transport links from remote fishing areas to export hubs.
○    Encourage private–public partnerships for building integrated cold supply chains.
4. Overcome Market Access Barriers
●    Action:
○    Negotiate trade agreements to lower tariffs (e.g., with EU, Middle East, Africa).
○    Standardize labeling and packaging to meet importing country requirements.
○    Promote Indonesian seafood at international trade fairs to expand market reach.
5. Add Value to Fisheries Products
●    Action:
○    Focus on processed and ready-to-eat products (canned tuna, frozen fillets, shrimp chips) instead of exporting raw fish.
○    Develop eco-labels and branding (e.g., “Sustainably Sourced from Indonesia”).
○    Encourage SMEs to innovate in seafood processing for niche markets (organic, halal, premium).
6. Ensure Sustainable Practices
●    Action:
○    Encourage adoption of eco-certifications (MSC, ASC).
○    Regulate fishing quotas and protect breeding areas to avoid overfishing.
○    Support community-based fisheries management to ensure long-term supply.

ARTICLE 3 (SEPTEMBER 22, 2025)

Utilization of Fishery Waste as Value-Added Products for a Sustainable Economy
The fisheries sector contributes significantly to global food security and economic growth. However, one of the persistent challenges in this industry is the generation of large amounts of waste, including fish heads, bones, skin, scales, viscera, and shells from crustaceans. If not properly managed, fishery waste can cause environmental pollution and pose health risks. On the other hand, with the right processing and innovation, this waste can be transformed into value-added products that support a sustainable economy.

Types of Fishery Waste
Fishery waste generally comes from two sources: capture fisheries and aquaculture processing. The most common by-products include:
●    Fish heads and bones, which are rich in calcium and proteins.
●    Fish skin and scales, sources of collagen and gelatin.
●    Viscera (internal organs), often used for fish oil and enzymes.
●    Shells of shrimp, crab, and lobster, containing chitin and chitosan with various industrial uses.
Instead of discarding these materials, modern processing technologies allow industries to convert them into high-value products.

Value-Added Products from Fishery Waste
1.    Collagen and Gelatin
 Extracted from fish skin and scales, collagen is widely used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Gelatin, a derivative, serves as a gelling agent in desserts, capsules, and confectionery.
2.    Fish Oil and Omega-3 Supplements
 Fish viscera and by-products are rich in essential fatty acids like EPA and DHA, which are processed into fish oil supplements for heart and brain health.
3.    Animal Feed and Fertilizer
 Fish bones and offal can be processed into fish meal, an important ingredient in poultry, livestock, and aquaculture feed. Fermented waste is also turned into organic fertilizer to support sustainable agriculture.
4.    Chitin and Chitosan
 Derived from crustacean shells, chitosan is a valuable material used in water purification, biodegradable packaging, wound healing, and even food preservation.
5.    Bioenergy and Biogas
 Fermentation of fishery waste can generate biogas as an alternative energy source, contributing to renewable energy development and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Economic and Environmental Benefit
Utilizing fishery waste provides dual advantages:
●    Economic value: Waste becomes a raw material for profitable industries, creating new job opportunities and income streams.
●    Environmental protection: Reduces organic pollution in coastal areas and prevents waste accumulation in landfills or oceans.
●    Sustainability: Supports the concept of a circular economy, where resources are reused and recycled rather than wasted.

Challenges and Future Directions
Despite its potential, fishery waste utilization faces challenges such as lack of infrastructure, limited technology in small-scale industries, and low awareness among stakeholders. To overcome these issues, stronger collaboration between government, academia, and private sectors is essential. Investment in research, technology transfer, and training for coastal communities can further maximize the value of fishery waste.

The utilization of fishery waste as value-added products is more than just waste management—it is a pathway to sustainable economic growth. By transforming by-products into collagen, fish oil, fertilizers, chitosan, and renewable energy, the fisheries sector can achieve higher efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and contribute to a greener, circular economy. With innovation and commitment, what was once considered waste can truly become wealth.