Restocking Arwana Red Banjar in Barito Selatan (©KKP)

Central Kalimantan, 30 May 2024 — Red banjar arowana, one of the endangered fish species native to Indonesia, has been reintroduced to Haleung and Melawen lakes as an effort to rejuvenate the aquatic biodiversity of Central Kalimantan. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through 'Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use into Inland Fisheries Practices in Freshwater Ecosystems of High Conservation Value' or IFish project, has partnered with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), in Kapuas and South Barito districts to conserve the fish population, which had dramatically declined due to overfishing and habitat degradation.

Asian Arowana (Scleropages formosus), which exists in four prominent variants: super red, golden, green and red banjar, is a valuable cultural and economic resource for the local communities in Central Kalimantan. Recognizing the importance and the protected status, FAO and its partners carried out a reintroduction effort of red banjar arowana in their natural habitat to replenish and conserve stocks. The fish species was released into Haleung and Melawen lakes, which experts have claimed to be ecologically and environmentally suitable as the reintroduction sites.

“Over the last few decades, the once-abundant fish population in our waters, as its natural habitat, has experienced a significant decline and therefore raised concerns for its existence in nature. The ongoing reintroduction efforts to strengthen inland fisheries management are important in ensuring the sustainability of resources, as the red banjar arowana is seen as the icon and pride of South Barito District. We are committed to continuing and improving the good efforts that have been started in South Barito through the RPJMD (Regional Medium Term Development Plan),” said Eddy Purwanto, the Regional Secretary of South Barito District, representing the Regent of South Barito District, Deddy Winarman. This statement was echoed by Kusmiatie, the Head of the Food Security and Fisheries Office representing the Regent of Kapuas District. "Based on our Technical Working Group (TWG), Kapuas District is committed to continuing these good programs through the strategic plans.”

This reintroduction effort adheres to the technical guidelines of the Director General of PRL Regulation No. 66 of 22, BPSPL (Directorate General of Marine and Marine Spatial Management, MMAF) and involves team of specialists. Eko Nugroho, a representative from the office of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Operational Focal Point in Indonesia attributes the project’s success to the community-based management that IFish employs. "The success of this project is the active participation of local communities in the management of inland water fishery resources, as well as the support of local governments through governance and collaboration that balances ecological well-being and human well-being. This can be an example for other regions in Kalimantan as well as other parts of the country so that it becomes a joint effort in conserving and protecting natural resources and biodiversity of inland waters. We hope that the achievements of this good initiative can continue to become the next regional development agenda "

The achievements of this project highlights how community engagement and government support can lead to effective inland fisheries management in line with the Ministry's goals. “IFish is the only cooperation project in the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries currently that focuses on inland fisheries management. What the local government and the community have done in Haleung and Melawen lakes is an achievement in inland fisheries management that can serve as a model for other regions in Indonesia. It’s aligned with the priority programs of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries,” said Sitti Hamdiyah, representative of the Bureau of Public Relations and Foreign Cooperation, Secretariat General of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.

Furthermore, Tri Handanari, a representative from the office of IFish National Project Coordinator, BPPSDMKP, underlines the integration of ecosystem approach in inland fisheries management. "One of IFish's objectives is to strengthen the collaboration in the management of inland fisheries with ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM), which is visible in the reintroduction of the endangered species in both lakes. This is also discernible in our establishment of Indonesian National Work Competency Standard (SKKNI) to ensure all stakeholders have a good capacity and competency on inland fisheries management", said Handanari.

Rajendra Aryal, FAO Representative in Indonesia and Timor Leste, appreciated the efforts of the local communities. "It was a real-time learning experience to observe the significant impact of the project activities on the ground in the areas of conservation and restoration of endangered fish ecosystem. The project has adopted a real bottom-up data management practice with a strong involvement of local communities; built on the traditional skills, knowledge, and beliefs of the Masyarakat Adat, securing their high-level of participation and ownership. Moreover, the project organised the local women and trained them on conservation efforts, centering them at the heart of the project for their empowerment", said Aryal.

Looking ahead, the Government of South Barito plans to extend the reintroduction of red banjar arowana in seven other lakes designated as fisheries sanctuaries, in which the activity will be replicated by the Government of Kapuas.

The IFIsh project is supported in Indonesia through a financing received from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).