Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - Dr Amalia Rezeki, a conservation expert who is also a lecturer in Biology at Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), is trying to increase the population of giant river prawns in Barito waters around Curiak Island, Barito Kuala District, South Kalimantan.
"In the last five years population of giant freshwater prawns has begun to decline with the decreasing catch of fishermen," said Amel, her nickname, in Banjarmasin, Monday.
The decline of prawns population in Curiak Island area was caused by some fishermen, usually from outside, catching giant river prawns in environmentally unfriendly ways, such as poisoning or electrocuting.
Besides, she told, the Curiak Island is experiencing mangrove forest degradation.
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The rambai mangrove trees, which are the spawning grounds for the giant river prawn, have been damaged and many of their roots have been taken for the bottle cap industry diambil or for cork for making badminton ball, thus many trees have shed their leaves then died.
Amel said population of jUmbo prawn with a length of 30 cm and large claws must be increased because they have high economic value and are the main source of income for Barito River coastal communities, besides farming with tidal rice fields.
During the shrimp spawning season, Amel released female giant prawns carrying their eggs, which were bought from fishermen before being sold to collectors.
Amel hopes if fisherment become aware of the importance of maintaining population of giant freshwater prawn, they will be willing not to catch shrimp that are lying eggs.
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Amel and her team also restoring rambai mangrove in line with efforts to conserve bekantans (proboscis monkeyss), the large, long nose monkeys that are the icon of South Kalimantan.
The aim is to restore rambai mangrove ecosystem a well as to support the habitat of bekantan. Rambai mangroves are the main stand and food for bekantan.
With its unique root system, it also a breeding ground for giant river prawns.
Currently more than 25,000 rambai mangorve seedlings have been planted on Curiak Island, some of which have been turned into small islands.
Every day, fishermen are seen looking for prawn and fish in the area.
Now the area becomes a favorite spot spot for local fishermen.
Amel is grateful that the hard work she and her team from SBI foundation have done and supported by stakeholders, especially local fishing community, is beginning to be felt.
Read also: Curiak Island now with ecolodge to support proboscis monkey tourism
