Sorong, Ekuatorial – Eager to learn community based fisheries, women of Limalas village, East Misool District had to cross the sea to receive trainings on how to produce abon ikan or fish floss.
Members of Koperasi Embun Pagi had to travelled to Alga’e Marine and Fisheries Training Center in Makassar, South Sulawesi to learn on how to make fish floss since last April. The training was facilitated by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Raja Ampat Marine and Fisheries Agency.
“We all received trainings in Makassar. We still don’t have oil press, so we still do it manually. That’s why we cannot produce in large quantities,” said Mama Rachel, a Limalas villager, who is also the spokesperson.
Lukas Rumetna, Birds Headportfolio, Manager TNC, said that the training was meant to increase their capacity in fisheries production, also its products.
“With efficient and controlled sea products which are managed by local people, it can ensure for natural sustainability,” said Rumetna.
Nugroho Arif, Communication Manager, TNC Raja Ampat, said that the management has yet to be optimized because it was only for domestic consumption considering on limited production tools.
However, Arif said that their efforts on learning to manage their fish products can be a lesson learned for other people living in coastal areas.
“This is only an initial stage but the plan is that these women will share their knowledge to other villages of Misool – Kofiau,” he added.
Muhammad Ali Ulat of Sorong Fisheries and Marine Polytechnic, said that community based fisheries relied on local people to manage their own fish production in a sustainable way.
“Starting from fishing, selling, and managing its products, all must be done by people living in coastal area so that they can receive direct economic benefits,” said Ulat.
Furthermore, he said that without interference from large fishing industry, local government can easily monitor fish catch capacity of local fishermen. Niken Proboretno
