Jakarta - The vast territory of Indonesia, consisting of 2/3 of the ocean, is a huge opportunity for the development of marine cultivation or mariculture. This enormous potential, if utilized optimally, can encourage increased fish production, which so far still relies on catches in nature.
In addition, Indonesian fishery products are currently in great demand in the international market, and have even become a favorite export to a number of countries. Therefore, the government through the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) continues to strive to build the mariculture industry to meet the export demand. One of them is by initiating the application of modern technology in the form of Offshore Floating Net Cages or Offshore KJA.
Offshore KJA is a strategic program of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries which aims to increase marine fish production through cultivation methods, especially white snapper (Lates calcifolia). The program adopted from Norwegian cultivation technology is believed to be able to significantly boost marine fish production, especially white snapper. This is certainly in line with Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 7 of 2016 concerning the Acceleration of National Fisheries Industry Development.
The adopted technology is in the form of a circular KJA with a diameter of 25,5 m, with a circumference of 80 m which functions to maintain marine fish located offshore/open sea (> 2 km from the coast). Development Offshore KJA This was done by PT. Perikanan Nusantara (Perinus) as the state-owned company that won the tender. Offshore KJA Pangandaran is the one with the fastest development progress.
Different from conventional KJA, Offshore KJA has a net depth of up to 15 meters and can be spread more seeds, which is around 1,2 million per year for 8 holes. Thus, production will also be higher, reaching 816 tons per year per unit (8 holes). While conventional KJA can only produce 5,4 tons per year per unit (8 holes).
Offshore KJA with each unit consisting of 8 holes will be filled with white snapper seeds (barramudi). White snapper was chosen because it is a fish that is easy to cultivate. In addition, white snapper is considered to be able to be processed into various products with a wider market compared to other types of cultivated fish, such as grouper.
Farmed white snapper Offshore KJA This will be harvested and processed in the form of fillet nor f. The plan is that this product will be sold in domestic and foreign markets such as Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.
To reduce the environmental impact, around Offshore KJA will be developed cultivation by adopting the system Integrated Multitropic Aquaculture, so that it can reduce leftover food and dirt. In addition, this system is also expected to be an attraction for fish around Offshore KJA.
The development of this technology is directed to empowering the community by directly involving around 200-240 people in the nursery process. Where to fill the seeds in one hole Offshore KJA 5 hectares of land is required.
Not only involving direct labor, this KJA will also absorb indirect labor of around 135 - 220 people. In the activities of sorting fish sizes, transporting seeds, and vaccination can involve around 15 - 25 workers per 5 hectares. Thus, 8 KJA holes will involve indirect labor of around 120 - 200 people.
Local fishermen will also be empowered by utilizing trash fish caught by fishermen as additional feed for Offshore KJA. If one fisherman can produce 20 kg of trash fish per day, then with 50 fishermen 1 ton of trash fish can be produced per day.
The nursery process from upstream to downstream as well as the cultivation security process Offshore KJA will involve communities that are members of the Village Unit Cooperative (KUD). KUD will also be involved in managing the harvest.
For the first time, Offshore KJA in Pangandaran was officially opened by President Joko Widodo on Tuesday, April 24 2018. Pangandaran is one of the first three locations for the development of Offshore KJA in Indonesia apart from Sabang (Aceh) and Karimun Jawa (Jepara).
Need to know, Offshore KJA Pangandaran was built in the middle of the sea with a distance of about 4 miles from the nearest beach or 7-8 miles from PPI Cikidang. Determination of the location Offshore KJA This has gone through environmental and location feasibility studies, as well as socialization and communication with surrounding fishermen. So it can be ensured that the development will not cause environmental damage or losses to the community.
The location of the development was chosen to be far from fishing routes, shipping routes, and conservation areas, and is included in the Fisheries Area Zoning Map in West Java Province.
Currently, a cooperation commitment is being drafted between the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, the Fishermen's Cooperatives (KUD) which are members of HNSI Pangandaran, KJA Managers, and the Pangandaran Regency Government regarding the management of this offshore KJA. The involvement of the fishing community in this agreement is sought so that all parties can benefit. (Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries)
