Fisheries Department at Universitas Gadjah Mada conducted National Seminar XIII with the theme Fisheries and Maritime Products on Saturday (13/8) in the Harjono Danoesastro Auditorium. The Seminar was attended by researchers, business players, academic community and other invitees. It was opened by Vice-Rector for Research and Community Service, Prof. Dr. Suratman. Keynote speakers were J. Soetanto from PT. Iroha Sidat Indonesia and Dr. Eko Setyobudi, S.Pi., M.Si. from UGM.
Prof. Suratman said that love for the maritime affairs as is instructed by the President is expected to run also on campuses, remembering that two thirds of the territory of Indonesia is ocean.
“Innovation in fishers and maritime area as well as synergy between reseacrhers and business players will be key to success of Indonesia’s maritime sector,” said Suratman.
Soetanto from PT. Iroha Sidat Indonesia said sidat (eels) was currently the prima donna with high demands from national and international market due to the taste and nutrition it contains. Soetanto mentioned a problem in the sidat development in the country that cannot yet be artificially made. Other problems are the slow growth of the fish that to get a standard sidat, it would take up between 12-15 months. The slow growth is caused by genetic factors such as size, type, species, and external factors such as water chemistry and feeds.
“The slow growth of sidat has forced businessmen to make more maintenance segmentation in order to achieve production continuity,” he said.
To conclude, Soetanto hoped the researchers to do research into fisheries and maritime development that is applicable on the field.