The Djuanda Declaration, 13 December 1957, stated that Indonesia is an Archipelagic State. It is stipulated that the body of water surrounding, within and connecting the islands of Republic of Indonesia is inseparable part of the Republic of Indonesia territory as one united country.

The concept of archipelagic state is recognized in the United Nation Convention on The Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on December 10th 1982 and ratified with Republic of Indonesia Act Number 17, in the year1985.This recognition presents a broad responsibility in order to manage, secure and sustainably utilized the Republic of Indonesia’s territory and all of its resources. It requires great maritime capability, supported by developed human resources, large amount of financial resources and modern technology.

The MMAF mission, functions, organizational structures and its position in the cabinet are determined by Presidential Decree No.165 in the year 2000 issued in 23 November 2000. The Presidential decree No.9 in the year 2005, stipulated that the main mission of the MMAF is: “To Assist the President (of the Republic of Indonesia) in holding the process of governance in the Marine and Fisheries sector”