The Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry is making an effort to preserve endemic nutrition-rich fish species jelawat in Sipin Lake and Batanghari River in Jambi Province in order to maintain its population through restocking.
Jelawat is endemic fish species living in general waters in Jambi, Director General of Fish Farming at the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry Tb Haeru Rahayu said in a written statement on Saturday.
Rahayu said jelawat is nutrition-rich freshwater fish which has high economic value and is much sought after fish for consumption.
The restocking is aimed at increasing the population of jelawat fish which begins to decline, she said.
Restocking is also undertaken at Lake Sipin which covers an area of 85 hectares and serves as a means of livelihood for local residents, she said.
The restocking of local fish species such as jelawat and nilem undertaken through the Sungai Gelam Freshwater Fish Farming Center (BPBAT) is expected to increase freshwater fish stocks in Jambi City and its environs.
“Of equal importance is that the program can increase food security so that it can reduce stunting rate in Jambi City,” she added.
Meanwhile, Head of the Sungai Gelam Freshwater Fish Farming Center (BPBAT) Andy Artha Donny Oktopura said Jambi has various kinds of local fish, however, their declining population is highly regrettable.
“In total, 154 thousand heads of local fish are restocked in Lake Sipin and River Batanghari, Jambi City. With the restocking, we are trying to increase the freshwater fish population in general waters, preserve diverse fish resources and increase fish production to fulfill nutrition needs, welfare, income and additional job opportunities from the fishery sector,” he said.
Source: Antara News