Pemalang, September 18, 2025 – The MARINA research team conducted a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with Pejuang Suara Pelaut (PSP) and migrant fishers (Awak Kapal Perikanan Migran / AKP Migran) at the PSP Secretariat in Pemalang Regency, Central Java, on Thursday, September 18, 2025. This activity forms part of the World Class University (WCU) scheme of Universitas Diponegoro, which aims to strengthen international research collaboration and community engagement initiatives.

MARINA (MOBILIZING ACTION FOR RIGHTS OF NAUTICAL WORKERS) is a project group working on a replacement for the thesis of students in the Department of International Relations at Universitas Diponegoro, which promotes AKP (Fishery Vessel Crew) from Central Java from modern slavery on foreign vessels. The MARINA collaborative project emerged as an initiative based on Ken Booth’s Emancipation Security approach by Ken Booth, which positions AKP not only as objects of protection but also as agents of change in combating exploitative practices. The project’s outputs—a pocket guide, social media accounts, Raperdes, and policy brief—will be developed based on field data collected through various methods, including focus group discussions (FGD) with fishery vessel crews directly.

The FGD aimed to collect in-depth data and insights on the experiences, working conditions, and challenges faced by Indonesian migrant fishers. The discussion served as a platform to identify comprehensive information that can reinforce advocacy efforts, enhance public awareness, and promote the formulation of local regulations that better protect the rights and welfare of migrant fishers.

A PSP representative expressed appreciation for the initiative, stating: “PSP hopes that the MARINA team’s efforts will benefit all stakeholders, and that the development of the educational pocketbook, policy brief, and draft village regulation will proceed smoothly.”

Beyond exploring strategic collaboration, the discussion also addressed several key issues, including:

1. Economic factors and working conditions of migrant fishers
2. The role of government institutions in migrant fisher protection
3. Village-level challenges and the drafting of local village regulations (Raperdes)

This FGD represents an important step in building sustainable collaboration between seafarers’ organizations, migrant worker groups, and supporting institutions such as MARINA. The synergy is expected to contribute meaningfully to advancing the rights, protection, and welfare of Indonesian migrant fishers.

About PSP

Pejuang Suara Pelaut (PSP) is a movement that represents and advocates for the rights of Indonesian migrant seafarers, particularly regarding their protection and welfare within the fisheries and maritime sectors. PSP collaborates with various labor unions and civil society organizations, including the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union (Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia / SBMI), to call for stronger government protection and fulfillment of migrant fishers’ rights.

Media Contact
Instagram: @marina.initiative
Email: marina.initiative@gmail.com