Tilapia cultivation is one of the latest efforts from The Marine Affairs and Fishery Ministry for the Papuan. This effort is specifically aimed at the people of Papua for several reasons. The main reason is the vast land available in Papua. And also, tilapia consumption in Papua is relatively high.
Papua indeed has big potential in its natural resources. Fishery is one of the promising industries in Papua. All these times fishery industry in Papua relies on its sea. But a new plan has emerged to start working on its freshwater resources.
Why Increase Tilapia Cultivation in Papua
The Marine Affairs and Fishery Ministry has come up with the decision to work on tilapia cultivation. Here are some of the reasons:
1. Papua is the Perfect Location for Tilapia Cultivation
The main thing that tilapia cultivation requires is a vast land. It is something that Papua has.
Unlike other main islands of Indonesia, Papua still has vast land with a relatively low population density. It makes the perfect location for tilapia cultivation.
Other than its vast land, the natural condition of Papua, especially in Jayapura, where the ministry planned to build the cultivation, is perfect for tilapia cultivation. The climate and the water condition are in the match that is required for growing tilapia.
2. Tilapia is Quick to Raise
Even if the natural condition is not a 100% match for growing tilapia, this fish is known as a resilient species against diseases. Tilapia is relatively easy to cultivate. It does not require flowing water with constant circulation. As long as the water is clean, it will live.
Tilapia is also quick to raise. In a proper pool with enough feeding, these fishes only need three to four months to grow. It is quite quick to grow and ready to consume.
3. Tilapia is One of the Papuan’s Favourite Fish
Tilapia is also one of the favorite fish among the Papuans. The ministry knows that the tilapia demand is quite high in Papua. The consumption of tilapia in this region is growing from time to time. So starting tilapia cultivation in Papua just fits to fill in the consumption demand there.
The tilapia cultivation is meant to fulfill tilapia demand in Papua and nationwide. The plan is to increase tilapia production to boost national and global demand. If the cultivation in Papua can produce large amounts of tilapia for export demand, it will also bring income for the people of Papua.
Efforts to Cultivate Tilapia in Papua
Wahyu Trenggono, the current Marine Affairs and Fishery Minister, shared the details of this plan as a start is a pilot project consisting of 10 fishing villages in the surrounding area of the fishery zones.
1. Uses a Bio-floc System
The cultivation uses a bio-floc system since it can produce more results for each harvest. The ministry finds this bio floc system to be fitting for the conditions in Papua. Other than that, this high-density tilapia farming system also requires less fish feed with minimum maintenance.
2. Harvest Maintenance
The maintenance following the harvest is also simple. Each bio-floc pond contains a thousand tilapia fish and does not need to be separated specifically. The target is to reach 250 kilograms of tilapia from each bio floc pool in each harvesting cycle.
3. Technical Assistance from the Experts
To obtain the target, the ministry has provided technical assistance from the experts to help increase tilapia fish farming profit. It gives training and information about bio floc system. The local tilapia farmers can freely ask for guidance and information from these experts. Other than that, the ministry also provides automatic feeding machines and fingerlings.
Currently, Indonesia is fifth among the countries with the largest tilapia production. The ministry needs the right plan to keep up with the global demands for tilapia filets and move up as the world’s largest tilapia producer. If tilapia cultivation in Papua succeeds in fulfilling the global tilapia demand, then it will certainly bring big profits for the Papua people.
