Mr. Toru Shimoda, the new Deputy Chief of SEAFDEC/IFRDMD, started his fieldwork by visiting eel fisheries project sites in Palabuhan Ratu, West Java, Indonesia, from May 13 to 17, 2024 and in Poso, Central Sulawesi, from June 7 to 9, 2024. These activities are part of the project entitled “Development of Stock Assessment Methods and Strengthening of Resources Management Measures for Tropical Anguillid Eel in Southeast Asia,” funded by JAIF in 2024.
Field visits constitute a monthly monitoring routine, which is a key component of the project methodology. During this routine, fishers use the project’s predetermined gear range to collect eel catch data, ensuring continuity of project data collection. The data collected includes monthly eel catches at all stages (glass eel, elver, and yellow eel) and water quality parameters. The survey also serves as a control measure for ongoing research, improves data quality, and provides an opportunity for Mr. Shimoda to interact with enumerators and fishers, thus maintaining social relationships.
In Palabuhan Ratu, West Java, Indonesia, the study was conducted in the Cikaso and Cimandiri Rivers. While, in Poso, Central Sulawesi, the survey was conducted in the Poso River, Pandiri River, Poso River Estuary, and Tentena.