In general, the types of marine and coastal animals that can be identified in the sea Arafuru and Bintuni Bay by WWF Bioregion Sahul Papua written by Ronald Petock mention, are the stupid shark (Whale shark), bottlenose dolphin (Botlenose dolphin), green turtle (Green turtle), hawksbill turtle (Olive turtle), humpback whale (Humpback Whale), scale clam, giant clam, and triton. Here we will dicuss about fishery resources in West Papua.
The Interesting Fishery Resources in West Papua
In addition, other types of marine biota found are molluscs. Molluscs consist of 56 families and 196 species consisting of 153 species of molluscs Gastropods or snails (36 families and 58 genera), 40 types of double-valved molluscs or shellfish (18 families and 30 genera) and 3 types of cephalopod molluscs (2 families and 2 genera).
The protected mollusks include the Tridacnidae family, namely giant clams (Tridacna gigas), giant clam (Tridacna maxima), horse tread clam (Hippopus hippopus), and pit clam (Tridacna coreacea), from the family Cymatidae namely Triton trumpet (Charonia tritonis), from the family Cassidae is a goat’s head clam (Cassis cornuta), from the Trochidae family, namely lola (Trochus niloticus) and from the family Trubinidae, namely stone action (Turbo marmoratus). This is one of fishery resources in West Papua.
The composition of fish species in the waters of West Papua is about 209 species from 65 families. Type- protected species include mammals, namely dugongs (Dugong dugon) and dolphins. dolphin (Delphinus delphinus). Read also the Forest and Land Resources Forest Area Of West Papua that you need to know.
Meanwhile, the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), green (Chelonia mydas) which has spawning grounds on several islands in the Auri Islands and Warundi Island. As well as hawksbill turtles (Lepidochelys olipacea). And turtles star fruit (Dermochelys coriacea) which does not lay eggs in the area. crocodile type, including the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) found around the island of Nusabier. This is also the unique fishery resources in West Papua.
Fish in West Papua
Based on the Fisheries Statistics of Papua Province in 1991-2002, fishery production sea level from regencies in West Papua region shows an increase fish catch production. This is closely related to the upward trend fishery households (small and medium scale) and increasing the number of fishing gear.
In aggregate, the increase in marine fishery resources in West Papua Province. It is look from from capture fisheries activities in 1991 – 2002 can be said to be quite high. During this period, a sharp increase in fishery production. Including other fishery attributes (fisherman household, fishing gear, and fishing fleet) occur from 1997. Which is coincided with the start of the decline in the exchange rate of the rupiah against the dollar America continues with the economic/monetary crisis.
The economic crisis experienced by the Indonesian people actually bring luck to fishermen. It is because of the price of the product Marine Fish Catch (Kg/year). Fisheries at that time had a fairly good bargaining value, and this was suspected as the cause increase in fish production.
The increase in production also occurs as a result of from the efforts to increase population (fishery household) growth. The number of traditional fishermen and the increase in the number of fishing companies. As well as the an increase in the number and types of fishery resources in West Papua. In addition to the growth of a more favorable investment climate good again.
Economic empowerment activities for coastal communities carried out by the government both at the national and regional (provincial and district) levels. It have also encouraged an increase in the number of fishing gear. Especially in the lower to medium fishery scale (subsistence).
The assistance provided is in the form of fishery production facilities. For example the procurement of fishing gear (outboard motors, nets, coolers) with a revolving credit system. It has been contribute significantly to increasing fisherman catches and fishery resources in West Papua.
