The Gama Wader Team from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Biology UGM), in collaboration with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), successfully released 5,000 yellow rasbora fish into the Gandok River, Sumbermulyo Village, Bantul Regency, on Thursday (Oct. 30).
This fish restocking activity was supported by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Indonesia and carried out in partnership with the Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) Marine and Fisheries Office.
The event marked the second phase of the “Yellow rasbora (Rasbora lateristriata) Restocking Activity for Food Dashboard System (FDS)” workshop series.
Unlike the previous restocking program, this phase involved several notable figures, including Professor Bambang Retnoaji, a lecturer and researcher at Biology UGM; Hery Sulistio Hermawan, Head of the DIY Marine and Fisheries Office; and Ibnu Budiman, Environmental Manager at GAIN Indonesia.
Professor Retnoaji explained that the restocking initiative stemmed from a 2011 survey that revealed concerns among local fish vendors, who relied on wild-caught fish from Yogyakarta’s rivers rather than aquaculture sources.
A follow-up survey conducted in 2019 revealed a significant decline in fish populations across several rivers, which was exacerbated by habitat degradation, improper waste disposal, and unsustainable fishing practices. One strategy to address this issue, he said, is to restock native fish species, such as the yellow rasbora.
“Our rivers are valuable assets with abundant natural potential that can benefit nearby communities. One way to preserve them is by returning fish to their natural habitats to maintain ecological balance,” said Professor Retnoaji.
He further emphasized the importance of applying scientific methods in selecting restocking locations, including the analysis of the physical, chemical, and biological quality of the river environment.
Yellow rasbora, he added, is an ideal species for this initiative, as it serves as a biological indicator sensitive to environmental changes and a local protein source for communities.
He expressed hope that this collaboration would go beyond releasing fish into rivers, becoming a broader effort to conserve biodiversity and develop sustainable fishery management strategies.
“Through this initiative, we aim to restore fish populations and encourage collaboration among various stakeholders to create lasting benefits for both the environment and local communities,” he added.
Ibnu Budiman stated that this collaboration aims to enhance the effectiveness of the annual yellow rasbora restocking program. He explained that Phase 2 would include four months of monitoring to produce a comprehensive guide for future restocking programs under the Marine and Fisheries Office.
“During this second phase, we will conduct monitoring for up to four months. The results will be used to develop a restocking guideline for yellow rasbora fish, which will be implemented by the Marine and Fisheries Office in 2026,” said Budiman.
Meanwhile, Hery Sulistio Hermawan highlighted that collaboration among stakeholders is key to ensuring the success of the restocking program. He also stressed the need for continued monitoring to track its progress.
“If any challenges or obstacles arise, they must be addressed collectively to ensure effective outcomes,” he noted.
Musa, Head of Sumbermulyo Village, expressed his gratitude to all parties involved in making the event a success. He hoped that this initiative would serve as a collaborative momentum to sustain river ecosystems and bring long-term benefits to the surrounding communities.
Author: Cyntia Noviana
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographer: Jesi