The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) recommended that ichthyoplankton research be conducted in all Fisheries Development Areas of the Republic of Indonesia (WPPNRIs) to bolster sustainable fishery management.
“An ichthyoplankton research program covering all WPPNRIs, which is supported by advanced multi-inter-transdisciplinary methods, is required,” a researcher at the Oceanographic Research Center of the BRIN’s Earth and Maritime Research Institution, Augy Syahailatua, stated on Friday.
He noted that currently, ichthyoplankton research had not been conducted comprehensively at all WPPNRIs since Indonesia has a vast maritime area.
The research will provide detailed information on the diversity, distribution, and abundance of fish eggs and larvae that can also be used to estimate potential locations for fish spawning and to know the condition of fish larvae.
The researcher noted that the provision of comprehensive data and information on ichthyoplankton is important in order to optimally strengthen the fishery resource management system to support Indonesia’s economic growth.
He noted that it is necessary to build a better fish egg and larvae database that is supported by adequate facilities to store those ichthyoplankton collections, so they can be used as a national research reference.
He noted that over the past two decades, ichthyoplankton research had become an instrument in finding spawning areas for various species of eel at some locations in the Indonesian waters and tuna fish in the Banda Sea.
The ichthyoplankton research should also be supported by the integrated application of DNA analysis and remote sensing methods to monitor various oceanographic variables using research vessels and adequate sampling equipment.
“All attempts should certainly be supported by solid research collaborations between ichthyoplankton researchers throughout the country, both from research institutions and organizations as well as universities,” Syahailatua added.
Source: Antara News