Bappenas Strengthens the Regulatory Framework for Seaweed Development

The Government has designated regulatory strengthening as one of the key priorities in the National Action Plan (Rencana Aksi Nasional – “RAN”) for seaweed development. The action plan will focus on reinforcing the seaweed ecosystem and governance framework through improvements in policies, institutional arrangements, and integrated zoning regulations.

“The Government is building an integrated and adaptive seaweed downstream ecosystem through the strengthening of regulations, institutional arrangements, zoning, and incentive schemes that encourage investment and cross-sectoral collaboration,” said Rahmat Mulianda, Director for Marine and Fisheries Affairs at the Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (“PPN/Bappenas”).

Within this framework, the Government is revising Regulation of the President No. 33 of 2019 on the Roadmap for the Development of the 2018–2021 National Seaweed Industry (“Perpres 33/2019”), to ensure alignment with the 2025–2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (Rencana Pembangunan Jangka Menengah Nasional/RPJMN), the 2045 National Long-Term Development Plan (Rencana Pembangunan Jangka Panjang Nasional/RPJPN), and the Blue Economy Roadmap. In addition, cross-sectoral regulatory harmonization is being undertaken to reduce policy overlap.

From a spatial planning perspective, the Government will integrate zoning for the downstream seaweed industry into the Regional Spatial Plans (Rencana Tata Ruang Wilayah/RTRW) and the Zoning Plans for Coastal Areas and Small Islands (Rencana Zonasi Wilayah Pesisir dan Pulau-Pulau Kecil/RZWP3K). The Government will also designate multi-value-based seaweed industry development areas as part of strengthened governance. Furthermore, a National Coordination Team for Seaweed Industrialization will be established as an institutional reinforcement measure under the action plan.