"There are still many reports of community activities of catching fish by electrocuting and using toxins; the methods that can damage the ecosystem must be stopped and the preservation of aquatic biota must be prioritized," he remarked here on Wednesday.
To stop fishing methods that harm the environment requires support from all parties, the governor emphasized.
According to Deru, fishing activities are difficult to monitor by officers of the South Sumatra provincial government and law enforcement officials, whose number of personnel is limited.
"The stop to using fishing gears that are harmful to the environment requires community participation," he stated.
Deru also appealed to the public to immediately report to the nearest security or law enforcement officials if they witness acts of electrofishing and fishing using poison.
He cautioned that electrofishing can disrupt all living creatures in the water.
The governor noted that not only do large fish die due to being electrocuted or poisoned, but small fish and other aquatic biotas can also perish, thereby threatening all aquatic biota if this practice continues unabated.
On account of this danger, enforcement mechanisms against electrofishing will be further bolstered, he remarked.
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Palembang Fitrianti Agustinda also urged residents in the capital of South Sumatra to stop fishing methods that are not environment-friendly.
"It is time to abandon the use of fishing tools that are not environment-friendly because they can damage the ecosystem of Musi River, its tributaries, and the surrounding environment," Agustinda said.
According to Agustinda, using safe fishing gear can prevent the killing of other small fish that are still growing.
The practice of electrocution in fishing is widely practiced by small communities, so a special approach to educate about the negative impacts of electrofishing is deemed necessary, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries emphasized.
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Translator: Yudi A, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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