IFRDMD staffs join the baseline survey in Manado, North Sulawesi and Palabuhan Ratu, West Java
Through Japan ASEAN Integrated Fund (JAIF) Project, SEAFDEC/IFRDMD (Takoru Shibuno, Yanu Prasetiyo Pamungkas, Yenni Sri Mulyani) and SEAFDEC/Secretariat (Sumitra Ruangsivakul, Sopit Chuang-aroon, Prakorn Chinsukiporn, Pusana Charoenphakdee) have conducted baseline survey Enhancing Sustainable Utilization and Management scheme of Tropical Anguillid Eel Resources in Southeast Asia on 8-12 July 2019 in Manado, North Sulawesi and 12-13 July 2019 Pelabuhan Ratu, West Java. Baseline survey in Manado was a collaboration between Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries/MMAF (Antonius Sujanto Siregar) and researchers from Sam Ratulangi University (Reiny Tumbol and Pankie Pangemanan). The activities included discussion with expert from Sam Ratulangi University, visited to main eel fishing grounds in Mouth River of Poigar and Inobunto River as catching area of glass eel and Moat Lake, Kotamobagu as catching area of adult eel. While visiting the fishing ground, the team also shared information with local fishers. Based on the information from the fishers, there are at least three species of eels belong to Anguilla marmorata, Anguilla celebecensis and Anguilla bicolor pasifica. They usually use scoop net to catch glass eels and fyke net to catch adult eel and other fish. Catching activity of glass eel depends on demand from buyers. According to the fishers in Poigar River, after 2015, there is no demand for commercial market, they just get demand for research purpose which has less amount of glass eel. Meanwhile, fishers in Inobunto river still have order from buyers to send the glass eel to some areas in Indonesia e.g.Bali, Padang, Jakarta, Surabaya, Batam, Palembang. Furthermore, the team also visited the biggest consolidator in Pelabuhan Ratu, West Java. Based on the interview, in 2018 at least 2 tons’ glass eel from this area were sent to the buyers by order. Whereas, in early 2019, there has still high abundance of glass eel but less order from buyers regarding to company stock. The dominance species is A. bicolor bicolor with scoopnet as a fishing gear. The team also made some video recording the catching activity in Mouth River of Cimandiri (#YSM).