UNAIR NEWS – The field of aquaculture or aquaculture should be a national concern in its development. The contribution of Indonesian aquaculture to global fisheries production continues to increase.
One of the supporting factors, potential vast land owned by Indonesia has not been fully explored. In addition, Indonesia is rich in biodiversity. Forty-five percent of the global fish species are found in Indonesia.
Although the fisheries sector is divided into two, fishing and aquaculture, now Indonesia can no longer rely on the fishing sector. Indonesia must focus on developing its aquaculture sector.
This is done for the sake of sustainability and maintaining the condition of the existing Indonesian rivers or seas. Because, the fishing sector in Indonesia currently has reached the point of over fishing. Therefore, what is threatened is not only biota, but also potentially damaged environmental conditions.
The development of aquaculture in Indonesia must be done by utilizing the existing potential. Responding to this, the PSDKU Aquaculture Program of PSDKU UNAIR Banyuwangi and Aquaculture Student Association held a national seminar entitled “Development of Sustainable Aquaculture Potential Towards Indonesian Fisheries Development” on Friday, November 16 in Minak Jinggo Hall, Banyuwangi Regional Government .
The first session was hosted by Moh. Saikhu Sabah as chairman of the group of freshwater fish farmers Dunia Air Genteng-Banyuwangi. In his presentation, he conveyed the potential of fresh fisheries in Banyuwangi Regency.
According to Saikhu, Banyuwangi is a district that has great potential in the fisheries sector. There are five things that become potential fisheries in Banyuwangi.
“They are abundant aquatic resources, many canals or rivers, many village dams and reservoirs, many remaining areas of sand excavation, and lands that are less utilized,” he said.
If these five things can be utilized. It is very possible that the fisheries sector in Banyuwangi increasing rapidly. However, it also depends on the regulation of the Banyuwangi Regency government itself.
Next, the second session was filled by Ir. Pantja Walujo Prasetyanto from Banyuwangi Fisheries Training and Counselling Center. In his material, he focused on increasing brackish aquaculture production in Indonesia.
“There are three basic strategies in developing aquaculture, extensification, intensification, and diversification, “he said.
“Extensification increases the branches of the business in various regions. Intensification is conducted by improving quantity in one type of commodity that is cultivated. Meanwhile, diversification, done by adding various types of commodities that are cultivated, “he added.
Next, the third session was presented by Dr. Gede Sumiarsa from the Center for Marine Aquaculture Research and Counselling of Gondol Fisheries. In his presentation, he focused on sea water commodities that have the potential to be developed in Indonesia.
“Indonesia has an extraordinary biodiversity. Some marine fisheries commodities that have the potential to be developed, sea cucumber, abalone, tuna, trevally, and lobster. Thankfully, all of these commodities have been successfully developed in Gondol. We gave counselling to the farmers, except lobsters, which are still regulated by the government,” he concluded. (*)
Author: Bastian Ragas
Editor: Feri Fenoria
