Javanese Belida Fish Threatened With Extinction, KKP Conducts Population Data Collection

Belida fish (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) through the Serang Coastal and Marine Resources Management Workshop (LPSPL) collects data on the population of the Javanese Belida fish (Notopeterus notoperus) in Rawa Pening, Semarang Regency, Central Java.

This data collection, which was carried out together with Tidar University (Untidar), was intended as a consideration for policy making regarding the management of belida fish.

Head of LPSPL Serang Santoso Budi Widiarto said the data collection was carried out in three periods, namely 9-10 January 2024, 4-5 February 2024 and 6-8 March 2024, using bamboo, bubu, and net elevator fishing gear.

The data obtained is then processed and analyzed to obtain population abundance estimates, the relationship between the length and weight of the fish, the distribution of long frequencies, genital nisbah, the level of national maturity (TKG) and Catch per Unit of Effort (CPUE).

"The estimated population of Belinda Java in Rawa Pening based on this survey is 32 heads per 1,400 square meters or 229 heads per hectare. If referring to the status of vulnerability based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the survey results show that the status of the Belida population in Rawa Pening is in a state of near danger," Santoso said as quoted from the KKP official website, Monday, May 13.

Santoso also explained that the status of managing belida fish in Indonesia is fully protected in accordance with the Decree of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia Number 1 of 2021 concerning protected Fish Types which include four species, namely Belinda Borneo (Chitala borneensis), Belida Sumatra (Chitala hypolonotus), Belida Lopis (Chitala lopis) and Belida Java (Notopeterus notopus).

The target for managing the types of belida fish between 2020 and 2024 includes population recovery in the original habitat, mapping of distribution and population in nature, regulation of breeding and regulation of circulation.

Data collection on the types of belida fish as a form of implementation of cooperation between LPSPL Serang and Tidar University (Untidar) is important for policy making by paying attention to three aspects of fisheries management, namely ecology, economy and social. This was also revealed by Tidar Waluyo University Aquatic Lecturer.

"The study on belida is important because it is one type of protected fish. Thus, valid data collection is needed for future policies. This also supports Tidar University in the development of Tri Dharma Universities which focuses on the use of basic scientific patterns as well as providing education and teaching, research and service to the community," he said.

Meanwhile, Researcher at the Center for Biosystematics Research and Evolution, BRIN Haryono, said that Belida is a native fish and has high economic value. Especially as a raw material for typical foods, such as crackers and pempek. Until now, Belida has started to be used as an ornamental fish.

"One type of belida fish, namely Chilata lopis, has even been declared extinct by the IUCN in 2020, but in 2023 it was recovered. Internationally, Belida has not been included in the protection of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)," he added.