Transfer of the Komodo
Fish Culture Project
Connecting government agencies,
communities, NGOs and businesses
| project history 1997: 1998–2002: broodstock collection 2000: hatchery feasibility studies 2002: UKL/UPL (impact assessment) 2003: MOU signed between the Conservancy and Research Center Institute of Aquaculture 2002–2003: hatchery construction 2003: hatchery inaugurated by Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Dr. Rokhmin Dahuri (July) 2003: Warloka village grow-out unit 2004: First batch of grouper sold (June) 2004: Menjaga village grow-out unit 2004–2005: identification of business partners 2005: transfer to PT Karamba (July) location Loh Mbongi, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia species cultured tiger grouper, mouse grouper, estuary grouper, mangrove jack and Asian sea-bass partners Komodo National Park Authority; Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation; District Governments of West Manggarai and Mang-garai; Gondol Research Institute, Dept. of Primary Industries, Queensland; Network of Aquaculture Centers in Southeast Asia (NACA) |
The Nature Conservancy’s Coral Triangle Center has successfully handed
over its fish culture project to an experienced Indonesian enterprise,
PT Karamba Mertha Buana. This company has the necessary technical
know-how, financial capability, willing to work with local communities,
and ultimately meet the original objectives of transforming this project
into a profitable and environmentally sound business, bringing income to
local communities.
Since taking over the project, PT Karamba is setting down the foundation
for boosting production of fish fingerlings. The company will initially
concentrate on three species: mouse grouper and tiger grouper, and the
company explores culture of one additional species, coral trout.
Sterilization of the entire hatchery has been carried out to ensure the
health and quality of the fingerlings. Further training to technicians -
who previously were under the employment of the Conservancy - is given
in order to master new technology; as well as modification of some of
the equipment. Karamba is also involving community-based grow-out groups
to grow fingerlings to a weight of around 50-100 grams.
PT Karamba pioneered the growing out of mouse grouper in Eastern
Indonesia. The company’s fish expert was also heavily involved in the
setting up of Indonesia’s leading fish research institute, Gondol
Research Institute for Mariculture, in Bali. PT Karamba has succeeded in
marketing mouse grouper at 30% higher prices. The company strongly
believes that a long-term and trustworthy relationship is absolute
necessities when forming partnerships with the local fishermen and
communities without whom these projects would be doomed to failure.
The Conservancy started the Komodo Fish Culture Project in 1998, working
in close coordination with the Komodo National Park Authority and the
District Governments of West Manggarai and Manggarai. In March 2003, the
Conservancy established the hatchery facilities in Loh Mbongi to 1)
provide fishers in and around Komodo National Park, Indonesia, with an
alternative livelihood, so that they were not reliant on destructive
fishing practices for income; 2) demonstrate how a “full-cycle”
mariculture (from larvae as opposed to grow-outs from wild caught
juveniles) should be conducted to high conservation standards; 3) supply
fish cultured to the Live Reef Fish Food trade; and 4) ultimately pass
on the operation to a mariculture business venture who would take it to
scale under environmental and
conservation criteria monitored by the Conservancy.
The hatchery has also served as an excellent training ground for fishery
high-school students, whereby around five groups of students from
neighboring town of Sape have stayed at the hatchery for three-month
periods. Here, the students were trained and had the opportunity to be
involved in the day-to-day operations of the hatchery.
A designated Man and Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site, Komodo
National Park is one of the world’s most biologically diverse and
productive marine environments. The park encompasses 233 miles2 (1,817
km2) and is home to 1,000 fish species, 260 reef-building corals, giant
clams, lobsters, turtles, whales, and dolphins.
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