Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - South Kalimantan Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office (Dislutkan) conducted local fish restocking in two public waters in Pantai Raya Belanti Village and Sukaramai Village, Tapin District, to overcome population decline due to overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction.
Head of the office Rusdi Hartono said this is a form of the regional government's commitment in maintaining sustainability of local fish resources.
"Restocking is one of our real action to restore local fish population which is being under threat. Not only to maintain ecosystem, but to assure the economic sustainability of communities that depends on capture fisheries,” he said in Banjarbaru, Wednesday.
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He continued that this activity was part of South Kalimantan's strategic effort to restore aquatic ecosystem and maintaning the sustainability of biodiversity.
A total of 36,000 fish seeds were released into the waters, consisting of 16,000 snakehead fish (Channa striata) seeds and 20,000 climbing gourami (locally known as papuyu) (Anabas testudineus) seeds, two endemic species that play an important role in the balance of local aquatic ecosystem.
The restocking is expected to be a long-term solution to restore natural habitat, such as river, lakes, and swamps, as well as to strengthen the economic resilience of the surrounding community.
“We hope with the increasing local fish population, people can feel the direct benefits from economic side. This is part of the sustainable fisheries development,” he said.
The handover and release of fish seeds was carried out by Head of Capture Resource Management (PSDS) Section accompanied by PSDP staff and the rank of Capture Fisheries of Tapin District Fisheries Office.
The activity received support and active participation from the local community who are expected to maintain the sustainability of the restocking results so that the benefits can be felt in the long term.
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