Success of Fish Stock Enhancement and Restocking in Inland Waters of Indonesia

Abstract

Stock enhancement and restocking of fish in inland waters of Indonesia has been practiced for a long time. Since 1999, the stock enhancement and restocking practices were based on scientific evidence which include limnological characteristics, productivity and ecological niche of water bodies, structure of fish communities, life cycle and biology of the fish stocked, and development of fisheries co-management and local wisdom or knowledge approach. Some species used in stock enhancement were reviewed, and the causes of programs' successes or failures were analyzed in an attempt to determine the best approach for future stocking. Recent successes in fish stock enhancement are mainly determined by species which can be reproduced naturally in the water bodies and regularly stocked at optimum level. The Government should facilitate and support stock enhancement activities by providing local fish seeds for restocking purposes. Introduction of fish species should be done with precautionary approach especially in the lakes of Sulawesi and Papua that are inhabited by endemic species.