By Agis Riyani and Mohammad Budi Santosa

Since its official adoption by the Marine and Fisheries Office (DKP) of Tarakan City in July 2012, the aquaculture improvement program (AIP) based on WWF-Indonesia's Better Management Practices (BMPs) of Wind Shrimp Aquaculture has attracted the attention of farmers not only from Tarakan but also other areas in North Kalimantan (Kaltara) Province. Initially, AIP was only centered on H. Muhidin's pond in Karanganyar Pantai, Tarakan City. However, since 2014 it has expanded to other ponds, namely H. Annas' pond on Ibus Tias Island, Bulungan Regency and Agus' pond in Ake Babu, Tarakan.

The AIP activities began with a baseline survey to determine the initial condition of the ponds and the level of compliance with the criteria contained in the BMP. Based on the results of the baseline survey in July 2014, it was found that the level of BMP compliance at H. Muhidin's farm was only about 17%. The next step in the AIP was to increase the level of compliance. This was done by preparing the farm by revamping ponds, bunds and ditches, repairing sluice gates, fertilizing and eliminating pests. In addition, monitoring of water quality, fingerlings, and diseases are also carried out, as well as recording of cultivation activities throughout the cycle.

After 1.5 years of assistance, the BMP compliance rate of H. Muhidin's pond rose to 74%, but unfortunately, the yield obtained was not maximized. The lack of yields is thought to be due to the non-uniform quality of the fry, the effect of turning the subsoil which causes iron (Fe) is still unstable, as well as several changes in pond keepers which causes the cultivation process to be different.

The same was done for H. Annas' pond on Ibus Tias Island. Preliminary data survey results in March 2014 showed a compliance rate of 64% with an average harvest of about 50 - 70 kg. During almost 4 months of assistance, H. Annas' pond showed positive results with a successful harvest of 100 kg with 20 - 30 shrimp per kg. In the second cycle of assistance (August - September 2014), another 117 kg of tiger shrimp were successfully harvested. Currently, H. Annas' pond is entering the third cycle with the stocking of 100 thousand fingerlings.

In order to make the AIP even more impressive, WWF-Indonesia is collaborating with other partners, namely PT Mustika Minanusa Aurora (PT MMA), and the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, University of Borneo Tarakan (FPIK UBT). In practice, DKP Tarakan conducts socialization, monitors activities, and provides assistance with water quality testing equipment and disease checks; PT. MMA plays a role in rehabilitating mangroves in ponds that become BMP adoption locations; and FPIK UBT students use it as a means of internship field work practice and research.

The enthusiasm and support of tiger shrimp farmers to learn to practice more responsible farming methods is an important asset for WWF-Indonesia to continue introducing tiger shrimp farming BMPs in the Kaltara region. The tiger shrimp farmers in Kaltara hope that with the implementation of the AIP, the perception of Kaltara tiger shrimp as organic tiger shrimp will be maintained.