Lobster and lobster seedlings are promising commodities that serve as valuable resources with high economic potential.
These commodities are abundantly available along the southern coasts of Sumatra, Java, and Nusa Tenggara.
“Lobster has become a crucial commodity in Yogyakarta and sparked a shift in the coastal community from farming to fishing in the early 1980s,” explained Professor Suadi from the Department of Fisheries, UGM Faculty of Agriculture.
This speech was delivered during a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Lobster and Lobster Seedling Management on Tuesday (Oct. 29) at the UGM campus.
The discussion was attended by fishing groups from the Gunungkidul, Bantul, and Kulon Progo Regencies, the HNSI of Gunungkidul and Bantul, the Department of Marine and Fisheries (DKP) of Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY), the DKP of Gunungkidul Regency, the DKP of Bantul, and teaching staff from the Aquatic Resource Management program.
Professor Suadi explained that the fishermen in the Yogyakarta Special Region have a strong social capital. This plays a crucial role as the spirit behind conflict resolution in lobster management.
He noted that major conflicts related to lobster and lobster seedling management are rare in DIY.
“The maturity of the informal institutions among fishing groups to engage in dialogue is a key strength in resolving issues,” he said.
Although the trend of utilizing lobster seedlings is more popular in DIY and almost along the entire southern coast of Java, several fishing groups still approach the collection of lobster seedlings with caution due to the associated risks.
Anes Dwi Jayanti from UGM’s Department of Fisheries discussed the lobster life cycle and the implications of catching lobster seedlings and lobsters if done irresponsibly.
She elaborated on regulations and lobster seedlings governance, referring to Fisheries Ministerial Regulation No. 7 of 2024 on the management of lobsters (Panulirus spp.), crabs (Scylla spp.), and blue swimming crabs (Portunus spp.).
Catur Nur Amin, Head of the Capture Fisheries Division of the Marine and Fisheries Department of Yogyakarta Special Region, highlighted the ongoing challenges in administrative processes and data collection, particularly in using the “siloker” app for recording lobster seedling catches, which need to be reported to the central government.
Meanwhile, Johan Wijayanto, Head of Fisheries for Gunungkidul Regency, mentioned that the government has worked to facilitate fishery services through regulations to ease fishermen’s business activities.
“We hope that with the provided ease, there will be a response of compliance with the regulations, along with strengthened supervision and law enforcement,” he explained.
Sumardi, Head of the Baron Beach Fishing Group, and Sarpan, Head of the Sadeng Beach Fishing Group, raised concerns about the “race to fish” with fishermen from outside DIY.
Both reported difficulties in inputting catch data and called for the formulation of internal conflict resolutions between local and outside fishermen.
“We strongly desire a way to institutionalize the management of lobsters and lobster seedlings so that the activities can be carried out responsibly and sustainably,” Sumardi said.
The FGD on Lobster and Lobster Seedling Management received positive feedback from fishermen, the Fisheries Department of DIY, and the regencies, proposing follow-up actions.
It is hoped that regular meetings, perhaps quarterly, can be held to institutionalize the governance of lobster and lobster seedlings in alignment with regulations, providing optimal benefits for the fishing communities and ensuring sustainability.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photo: IDN Times Jogja
Post-editor: Afif