The Octopus Capture Line In The Makassar Sea Is Enforced To Open And Close, YKL Calls To Protect Marine Biota

Illustration of coastal residents who enforce an open-close system to protect marine biota, especially octopuses. Antara/ Suriani Mappong

SOUTH Sulawesi - Coastal residents on Lanjukan Island and Langkai Island in Makassar City, South Sulawesi Province (Sulsel) implement an open-close system to protect marine biota, especially octopuses.

"The open-close system implemented by coastal residents on the two islands is a marine area governance based on local communities," said Director of the Indonesian Marine Conservation Foundation (YKL) Nirwan Dessibali in Makassar, Saturday, June 9, as reported by Antara.

He said the open-close system was applied to octopus catch locations in areas that had been agreed on for three months.

According to him, all arrest activities are prohibited in the open and close area, except for anglers with ships that continue to move.

In addition, providing a boundary sign on the temporary closure area, including conducting joint surveillance.

"Also prohibiting or damaging and taking the sign of opening and closing. If a violation is found, a warning and understanding will be given. If repeating his actions, strict sanctions will be given," he said.

This was confirmed by the Head of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Service of South Sulawesi Province Muhammad Ilyas on a separate occasion.

He said that the open-close system makes more octopuses and big fish or cages and provides a recovery process for the ecosystem, suppressing the level of exploitation and threats of "destructive fishing".

Ilyas said that in collaboration with NGO companions and coastal residents, it was finally understood by fishermen that there was a fishing season related to closed locations, including laying eggs and octopus development.

"Good stories or good practices from these coastal residents in increasing their capacity regarding the importance of protected marine life can be a model for other coastal residents," he said.