TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, through the Directorate General fo Aquaculture Farming, has released 22,000 fish across Lake Toba, Toba samosir, North Sumatra on Monday, November 30.
The fishes being released comprised of carps, tilapia, and Javanese barbs, which were farmed and raised by the North Sumatran Agency for Fisheries and Maritime Agency,.
In a separate occasion in the same location, Aquafarm Nusantara - a private fisheries company based at Lake Toba - alse released 10,000 fish.
"The releases were done to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks in Lake Toba, which has been decreasing," said the Director General for Aquaculture Farming, Slamet Soedjakto, in Balige, Toba Samosir.
The government hopes that this will motivate local residents and fishermen to engage in sustainable fishing practices. "They are at the forefront of our efforts," he said.
The acting Regent for Toba Samosir, Hasiholan Silaen, advises residents and fisherment to be more selective in their practice in order to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks at Lake Toba. "If a fish is suspected to contain eggs, or is too small to be harvested, it should be immediately released," said Silaen.
There are at least 90 fisheries across Lake Toba, which employs around 1,100 fishermen in the area.
ANTARA