Indonesian Mud Crabs Meet US Standards Through 2029

Jakarta — The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has confirmed that Indonesia’s rajungan meet the United States standards after obtaining a comparability finding valid until 31 December 2029, thereby preserving market access to the US. Acting Director General for Strengthening the Competitiveness of Marine and Fisheries Products (PDSPKP) Machmud, in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, said the recognition was granted by US authorities through NOAA Fisheries. NOAA Fisheries has assessed Indonesia’s rajungan management system as equivalent to their regulations, particularly regarding the protection of marine mammals (MMPA) and the control of bycatch. “Initially, rajungan caught with gillnet gear were prohibited from export to the US. To differentiate those that have already obtained a comparability finding, exports were required to use additional certification in the form of a Certificate of Admissibility (COA),” Machmud said. With the comparability finding now in place, the requirement for the additional COA certification for Indonesian rajungan exporters and US importers has officially been removed. Director of Marketing at the Directorate General of PDSPKP Erwin Dwiyana said this achievement is the result of intensive coordination since late 2025, including responding to a US government review of several exporting countries. The effort involved various parties, including the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Indonesian Rajungan Management Association (APRI), several non-governmental organisations, and the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, D.C. “With the review result, the burden of the additional certification related to MMPA rules previously imposed can be removed,” Erwin said. He explained that previously a lawsuit filed by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) together with US seafood importers in October 2025 resulted in a temporary suspension of the export ban on gillnet rajungan for 180 days, while also opening room for a review of the comparability finding. KKP subsequently actively prepared technical materials and responded to information requests from US authorities from November 2025 to April 2026, until Indonesia was finally deemed to meet the required standards. The US is Indonesia’s main rajungan market, with average export value reaching USD 321 million over the past three years, or around 16.6 percent of total Indonesian fisheries exports to that country. Erwin added that the decision also protects an export potential of around USD 80 million, or about 25 percent of total rajungan exports to the US, while also enabling rajungan fishermen, particularly gillnet users, to resume operations in accordance with applicable rules. Erwin emphasised that the KKP is committed to safeguarding the marine ecosystem through blue economy policies, prioritising environmental aspects in the development of the maritime sector. The effort aligns with MMPA provisions, particularly in reducing the risk of death and injury to marine mammals due to fishing activities, including through bycatch reporting and the expansion of monitoring programmes. He hopes that, with the removal of the additional certification, the competitiveness of Indonesian rajungan in the US market will not only be maintained but also further enhanced.