Utilizing Abundant Fisheries Potential, FPIK IPB University and West Kutai Regency Government Establish Cooperation
One of the areas that has considerable inland fisheries potential is West Kutai Regency in East Kalimantan Province. In an effort to manage and utilize the magnitude of this potential, the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science (FPIK) of IPB University and the Regional Development Planning and Research and Development Agency (Bappedalitbang) of West Kutai Regency established a collaboration.
“Indonesia has abundant potential fish resources, not only in the sea but also in inland waters. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) states that the potential of fish resources in the State Fisheries Management Area of the Republic of Indonesia in Inland Waters (WPPNRI PD) is estimated to reach 3.03 million tons per year,” said Team Leader from IPB University, Prof Sulistiono.
Prof Sulistiono said, in general, this activity aims to arrange the development of fisheries clusters in West Kutai Regency, especially in Muara Pahu, Jempang, Penyinggahan Districts. In addition, this cooperation also aims to evaluate the condition (environment) of waters and the potential (biomass) of fishery resources in the Mahakam River and Jempang Lake.
Through this cooperation, the IPB University Lecturer team will also map the present status and development of aquaculture, fishing and processing, knowing the current conditions and prospects for processing and marketing.
“Not only that, we will also map and potential development of institutional aspects and conditions of fishery facilities and infrastructure, determine the leading fishery commodities per sub-district and develop development strategies based on fishery resource clusters,” he also explained.
Together with the team, Prof Sulistiono explained this in front of fisheries stakeholders in West Kutai Regency. This was done to get input on the potential and problems of fisheries there.
Furthermore, the team of IPB University lecturers also conducted a survey to the study sites in Muara Pahu District, Penyinggahan District and Jempang District. This survey activity involved several experts from FPIK IPB University, namely Dr Iin Solihin, Dr Thomas Nugroho, and Dudi Muhammad Wildan, SPi, MSi.
Activities carried out were mapping the potential of fish resources in the swamps, Mahakam River and Jempang Lake. In addition, interviews were also conducted with fisheries business actors there, namely fishermen, fish farmers, processors, marketers and government officials, both at the village and sub-district levels. (*/Rz) (IAAS/STD)
