UGM KKN-PPM Garung Bernaung team conducted a restocking program by releasing fish fry into Ranu Kamba Menjer Lake, Garung District, Wonosobo Regency, Central Java.
This restocking program was conducted in collaboration with the Wonosobo Regency Agriculture and Fisheries Office, Vespa Wonosobo Community, and Ranu Kamba Fishermen’s Group.
The event coincided with Wonosobo Regency’s 199th anniversary and was attended by Wonosobo Regent Afif Nurhidayat.
Team coordinator Herlina Rifa Paramartha explained that the release of these fry aims to preserve native fish species as a concrete effort to maintain aquatic ecosystem sustainability and support the continued availability of fish resources, particularly in Menjer Lake and the Serayu River Basin.
“Through this program, we hope to improve aquatic resources’ utilization while paying attention to their sustainability to avoid damaging the original environmental ecosystem,” said Paramartha in a press release sent on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024.
Paramartha further explained that her team coordinated with the Wonosobo Regency Agriculture and Fisheries Office to procure the fish fry.
The Fisheries Office confirmed the availability of the bonylip barb fish (Osteochilus vittatus or, in Indonesian, commonly known as nilem), which was then selected for restocking in Menjer Lake.
Nilem fish were chosen because they are a local species, not a predatory type.
“This fish adapts to the environment with cold temperatures and breeds quickly and easily. The habitat of nilem fish is suitable for the conditions of Menjer Lake, which is located in a mountainous area with relatively cooler temperatures,” she explained.
Sento, Chair of Ranu Kamba Fishermen’s Group, mentioned that a fish sanctuary is needed to conserve aquatic biota, particularly the endong and nilem fish, in addition to a restocking.
Sento added that Menjer Lake could support various types of fish, including the endemic endong and nyoho fish.
However, these fish are still hard to find in the market due to the lack of suitable cultivation formulas, requiring further research.
“The existence of restocking, a fish reserve, and water tourism is expected to become an educational tourism resource and continue to be a beneficial natural resource for the local community,” he explained.
Wonosobo Regent Afif Nurhidayat welcomed the release of 35,000 nilem fish fry. The regent hopes the fish fry will grow and develop well.
“I hope the fry released here will thrive,” he said.
The regent noted that this KKN student initiative, through conservation activities, further encourages a spirit of cooperation and environmental concern in Wonosobo Regency.
Menjer Lake is expected to continue being a valuable natural resource for the local community and an attractive tourist destination for visitors from various regions.
Author: Tiefani
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang