Walatung Village as center of papuyu fish development

Barabai, South Kalimantan 25/10 (AntaranewsKalsel) - Walatung Village in Pandawan Sub-district, Central Hulu Sungai (HST), South Kalimantan, became the center of the development of climbing perch fish (locally known as papuyu or betok).

Previously, according to Pandawan fishery counselor Fahriza Rifani, the research conducted by the University of Lambung Mangkurat Banjarbaru has ascertained the swamp area of Walatung as a suitable habitat for the development of papuyu fish (Anabas testudineus).

"Appropriates with the program of the Regent, Walatung Village will be a center for the development of papuyu fish from the breeding, brooding, feed producing, until maintenance," he said in Barabai, Wednesday (25/10).

Fahriza added that the research in Walatung Village in cooperation with the Government of HST has entered the stage of making 10 ponds by the Waringin Baru Fish Cultivation Group (Pokdakan).

Separately Acting Head of Fisheries and Food Security Agency Sunarwi Warni said the current price of big papuyu is quite expensive compared to other freshwater fish.

While the fish with the medium size Rp32 thousand per kilogram at the wholesale and Rp36 thousand at the retail level.

This condition motivates the community to participate in cultivating fish to increase the family income.

Sunarwi added that HST has developed freshwater fisheries sector. In Walatung village it develops papuyu fish, in Mahang Baru Village with gabus fish and in Samhurang Village it cultivates tauman or snakehead fish.

"Currently we have also conducted training to the Pokdakan by bringing in experts to learn to process fishery products as an alternative business," said Sunarwi.