JAKARTA - The sapu-sapu fish has long been considered a water pest and is rarely used as an economic resource by the community. In fact, its abundance in rivers and reservoirs actually opens up business opportunities that have not been worked on by many people. This condition creates a market gap that can be utilized, without having to worry about facing fierce competition.
This is what was revealed by environmental activist, Arief Kamarudin, who hopes that the mass arrest of sapu-sapu fish as encouraged by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government needs to be accompanied by a sustainable approach, such as research to find the economic value of sapu-sapu fish so that control efforts can run consistently.
"If my suggestion is that we have to investigate first. So far, we have to investigate first. Who knows that the sapu-sapu fish can be used for things that can make money. For example, the sapu-sapu fish can be used as fertilizer, right. Fertilizer can be sold if there is economic value, then there will definitely be many people looking for it because if, for example, we just destroy it, I'm sure the activity won't last long," he explained.
According to Arif, if the sapu-sapu fish turns out to have a selling value, the community will be encouraged to participate in the capture without special instructions. On the other hand, if it is only destroyed without economic benefits, the effort has the potential to not last long, because it requires a large cost and long time.
In fact, research related to the economic potential of sapu-sapu fish has been carried out. In a study entitled "Nutritional Content of Abon Fish Sapu-Sapu (Pterygoplichthys Pardalis) Originating from the Ciliwung River, Indonesia" which was included in the Journal of Food Processing 7, No. 1, dated June 29, 2022, Handhini Dwi Putri et al. revealed that sapu-sapu fish has a high protein content, namely more than 20 percent and a low fat content, less than 5 percent. This makes sapu-sapu fish potentially become raw materials for food processing such as abon.
Through the research method in the form of a proxy analysis such as ash content measurement, water content, protein using the Kheldahl method and fat using the extraction method, the results of nutrient content were obtained ash content of 5.47 percent, water content of 2.24 percent, protein 39.08 percent and fat 30.59 percent. "The ash, water and protein content meet the requirements of the SNI 7690.1 2013 compost quality. Meanwhile, fat does not meet the compost requirements according to SNI," concluded the study.
Meanwhile, quoted from the halodoc website, the broom fish which comes from clean waters is rich in protein, minerals, and essential fatty acids that support various body functions. Broom fish contains about 15.20 percent protein which is an important macronutrient that serves to build and repair body tissues, form enzymes, and hormones.
The high calcium and phosphorus content in the fish is very useful for maintaining bone and tooth density. The intake of these minerals is important to prevent the risk of osteoporosis later. It is known that the fish contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which are known to be good for heart health, help maintain blood vessel function, and support brain development and function. In addition, the content of B vitamins, such as B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12, in the fish contributes to the body's metabolic process.
However, the University of Indonesia Professor of Internal Medicine, Ari Fahrial Syam, reminded the public to pay attention to the origin of the fish before consuming processed fish. Because, fish that live in polluted waters are at risk of carrying harmful substances.
He explained that the mop-mop fish has the ability to absorb substances from its environment, including heavy metals if it lives in polluted waters. Consumption of fish from rivers or waters contaminated by industrial or domestic waste is at high risk of causing exposure to heavy metals such as mercury, lead, or cadmium. "Long-term exposure to heavy metals can have adverse health effects, including organ damage and neurological problems," he said.
Further Research to Explore the Value of Sapu-Sapu Fish
In addition to processing for human consumption, sapu-sapu fish is also used as livestock feed, liquid organic fertilizer to BSF fly cultivation feed. Director General of Aquaculture Fisheries KKP, Haeru Rahayu, admitted that sapu-sapu fish actually has the potential to be utilized. At least, several parties have studied the possibility of processing this fish into organic fertilizer or fish flour raw materials.
However, this utilization has not been widely carried out. One of the main obstacles is concerns about the content of harmful substances in the body of the sapu-sapu fish, especially those living in polluted waters.
"Research results show that the mop fish can accumulate heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. These substances are harmful to human health if they enter the food chain. In fact, the processing process with high temperatures is not completely capable of eliminating these contents," said Haeru.
He stated that if the sapu-sapu fish is processed into feed, then consumed by other fish which are eventually eaten by humans, then the risk of exposure to harmful substances still exists. This is the main reason why the use of sapu-sapu fish is still limited to this day. "Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture continues to coordinate with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to study the use of sapu-sapu fish so that it has more utility value," he concluded.
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