Glassa Island Waters
The waters of the Gelasa Island, which are directly opposite the Karimata Strait and the South China Sea , are a squid barn on Bangka Island.
In general, the catch of squid in Bangka waters is dominated by the type of squid [Uroteuthis chinensis] and a small portion of cuttlefish [Sepioteuthis lessoniana] .
In 2022, the Secretary of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Research Agency for Human Resources, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries [BRSDMKP], Dr. Kusdiantoro, mentioned Bangka Belitung as a center for squid production in Indonesia, the best in the world export market.
The condition of the coral reefs around the waters of the Gelasa Island which are classified as good and free from mining activities, has the potential to become a squid spawning habitat.
The waters of the Gelasa Island, which are directly opposite the Karimata Strait and the South China Sea, are a squid barn on Bangka Island.
If converted, around 500 thousand to one million Rupiah," said lsmu Bai [38], a squid angler in Tanjung Bonded Hamlet, Batu Beriga Village, Central Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Monday [03/04/2023].
As a coastal village in the east of Bangka Island, apart from gardening, about 70 percent of the total [2037 people] of Batu Beriga's population work as fishermen. To find squid, they use small boats with a capacity of 5 GT [ Gross tonnage ], with the help of lights, and fishing gear in the form of fishing rods and scoops.
When catching fish, it is also not permissible to use bombs or set nets around coral reefs,” said Cik Jali, an indigenous community leader in Tanjung Berikat Hamlet.
According to Ismu Bai, for almost 20 years of fishing for squid, these waters have also become fishing grounds for fishermen from other areas, such as South Bangka Regency, around Rebo [Sungailiat] Village, to a number of fishermen from Selan Nasik, Belitung.
Meanwhile, the sea in Batu Behole Village, around Sungailiat and Toboali [South Bangka] has already been mined," he continued.
According to Febrianto's research, [2014] in South Bangka Regency, tin mining activities can affect the amount of squid caught. A number of water quality parameters, such as Pb [heavy metal], have exceeded the quality standard for marine biota [KepmenLH No 51 of 2004]. Meanwhile, the parameters of TSS [suspended solids], brightness and DO [level of dissolved oxygen in water] at tin mining sites were higher, compared to locations free of tin mining.
Must Be Protected
In general, the catch of squid in Bangka waters is dominated by squid [ Uroteuthis chinensis ] and a small portion of cuttlefish [ Sepioteuthis lessoniana ]. This type of Uroteuthis chinensis is designated as a strategic superior commodity for the fisheries and marine sector in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, because it has the best quality for the export market.
In 2022, the Secretary of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Research Agency for Human Resources, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries [BRSDMKP], Dr. Kusdiantoro, mentioned Bangka Belitung as a center for squid production in Indonesia, the best in the world export market.
"In the past three years, the average export of squid has increased by around 14.7 percent with a value of USD 330 million. But on the contrary, from the results of the study it was found that there were indications of a decrease in the squid population in Babel waters," he said, quoted from the official website dkp.babelprov.go.id .
According to Kurniawan & Febrianto's research [2021], the maximum catch or sustainable potential for squid resources in the 2012-2019 range in Bangka Belitung has not yet reached overfishing.
According to Muhammad Rizza Muftiadi, a coral reef researcher from the University of Bangka Belitung, in general, in one egg laying, squid can produce many eggs, so that they have many children.
"In other words, without setting aside control over fishing gear and the number of catches, protecting coral reefs as the main habitat for squid is the best," said Rizza, who took part in the Kacasa Island Expedition last year.
On the other hand, the condition of the coral reefs around the Gelasa Island waters which are classified as good [Adi et al., 2020] and free from mining activities, has the potential to become a spawning ground for squid .
“Therefore, Especially to protect coral reef ecosystems, fishery resources, to the cultural values of the local community," he emphasized.