This Policy moves from the consideration that Indonesia has an extensive area of waters with abundant potential of marine resources whose management is conducted in order to provide the utmost benefit for the people and in order to implement the Global Maritime Fulcrum, that is the Indonesia’s vision to make itself a sovereign, advanced, independent, strong maritime nation that is able to provide positive contribution for peace and security of the region. This Policy consists of a National Document, containing the explanatory narrative of the ocean Policy and of a Plan of Action of the Policy, stipulated for the period of 2016-2019, necessary to implement various programs and activities in ocean areas in accordance with the national development target. This Policy serves as a Guideline for ministries/non-ministerial institutions and local government to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate the development in the maritime sector in order to implement Global Maritime Fulcrum; and as a reference for society in general and private sectors to participate in the development of maritime sector in order to implement Global Maritime Fulcrum.
This Policy concerns: definition and explanation of territorial waters, sovereign rights, zones of jurisdiction, maritime zones, high seas and international seabed area, in compliance with Indonesia legal obligation under UNCLOS 1982; challenges related to Indonesian ocean development, including among others: 1) efforts to reaffirm the country’s maritime identity, 2) various forms of threat that may affect the country, including: possibility of accidents of foreign nuclear submarine passing Indonesian waters, arm conflict at sea, arms smuggling, slavery at sea, human trafficking and smuggling, marine resources deterioration or plundering, underwater cultural heritage thievery, sunken ship cargo theft, 3) surveillance and security aspects, 4) good infrastructure connectivity at sea, 5) the extensive span of Indonesia water demands to finalise its maritime boundary, 6) development of area and improvement of economic activities, 7) development of marine aquaculture and endeavour to eliminate unsustainable fisheries practices and fisheries crimes, such as Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF), 8) utilisation of renewable and non-renewable natural resources.
In order to implement the country’s vision, the Policy defines the following aims: sustainable management of ocean resources, development of quality of human resources and marine technologies, development of strong maritime defence and security, enforcement of sovereignty, law and safety at sea, good ocean governance, development of welfare of people at coastal area, enhancement of competitive marine economic and industrial growth, creation of reliable marine infrastructure and marine spatial planning, protection of marine environment and marine culture. The accomplishment of these aims is based on the following six principles: 1) wawasan nusantara, that is the archipelagic way of thinking; 2) sustainable development; 3) blue economy; 4) integrated and transparent management; 5) participation; 6) equality and equitability. The Plan of Action of the Indonesian Ocean Policy for 2016-2019 period consists of 5 priority program, namely: (1) Maritime Boundary, Ocean Space, and Maritime Diplomacy; (2) Maritime Industry and Sea Connectivity; (3) Services and industry of Marine Natural Resources and Marine Environment Management; (4) Maritime Defence and Security; (5) Maritime Culture.