Cage fish cultivation constrained by river quality

Freshwater fish farming with tarpaulin ponds is an alternative to increasing income while at the same time increasing local fish production. (Antaranews Kalsel/Herlina Lasmianti)

In addition to the declining quality of the Tabalong River, the content of the Koi Herves Virus is also an obstacle to cage fish cultivation,

Tanjung, S Kalimantan (Antaranews Kalsel) - The effort of the Tabalong Fisheries Agency to develop cage aquaculture in the South area is constrained by the decreasing quality of the Tabalong River.

Head of Fisheries Division at the agency Lisa Anggeraini said this condition caused hundreds of cages abandoned and fish farmers stopped their business.

"In addition to the declining quality of the Tabalong River, the content of the Koi Herves Virus is also an obstacle to cage fish cultivation," she explained.

Lisa acknowledges there are a number of farmers who keep trying to survive by developing fish species, such as tilapia, even though they risk loss.

Meanwhile, the local Fisheries Agency continues to strive to increase fish production through tarpaulin fishpond cultivation.

Fish cultivation using round tarpaulin ponds is an alternative to the development of freshwater fish, such as papuyu (betok/climbing perch ), catfish, tilapia, gouramy, and siam sapat.

"This year we are allocating funds for the development of tarpaulin fish farming," Lisa explained.

According to the Head Section of Fisheries Rahmani, the making of round-shaped tarpaulin ponds does not require large funds, for those with a diameter of 3 meters it requires about Rp3 million.

"A tarpaulin pool with a diameter of 3 meters can accommodate 1,000 papuyu fish with production reaching 40 kg," he explained.

In Tabalong District tarpaulin fish farming has been developed since 2011 in seven villages. Among them in Pampanan Village, Tamunti Village, Habau Hulu Village, Bungin Village, Padangin Village, and Binturu Village.