Indonesian Eel Fishers in Cilacap Survive the COVID-19 Pandemic
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25 December 2021 08:05 WIB
The story of resilient Cilacap fishers was highlighted during the field visit of ad Interim Head of the Research and Human Resources Agency of the MMAF Mr Kusdiantoro, ad Interim Director General of Marine Spatial Management of the MMAF, Ms Pamuji Lestari, and FAO Representative Mr Rajendra Aryal, on Thursday, 23 December 2021.
Member of Mina Sidat Bersatu cooperative gave tour to FAO and MMAF in their seedling ponds © FAO / Des Syafrizal
The high-level officials went to Mina Sidat Bersatu Cooperative eel farms in Kaliwungu Eel Village in Cilacap District. The cooperative is one of the beneficiaries of Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) and FAO IFish project, which is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
"Eel is a leading commodity from Cilacap Regency that needs to be continuously developed," said the Head of Cilacap District (Bupati), Mr Tatto Suwarto Pamuji. He mentioned that many researchers and aquaculture practitioners from Japan and other places came to Cilacap to study eels, especially to observe their life cycle and the best fisheries practices.
One of prime locations for learning is Kaliwungu Eel Village, the location of Mina Sidat Bersatu cooperative. It is the first demonstration site of the FAO-IFish project started in 2020.
"Eel cultivation needs to be carried out in harmony, balancing conservation and production based on technology and science," explained Kusdiantoro. "We appreciate the ability of the cultivators in the Kaliwungu Eel Village to independently concoct their eel feed. In the future, eel experts from the Center for Fisheries Research will also provide assistance to the fishers in Cilacap, as we have done with the FAO-IFish project in Sukabumi District already”, added Kusdiantoro.
