By Albertus Tjiu & Masayu Yulien Vinanda

Pontianak (29/12)-People prosper, natural resources are preserved. This ideal condition is what the people of Teluk Aur Village, Kapuas Hulu district, West Kalimantan, are trying to realize. In addition to arowana conservation, the community in the village also implements sustainable fishing practices for consumable fish through a communal fishing system termed "jermal."

Since Pengelang Lake was designated as a Protected Lake in 2007, the people of Teluk Aur Village, who are members of 3 hamlets namely Puring Hamlet, Jaung I and II Hamlet, agreed to decide on an appropriate harvesting system. In 2009, they agreed to implement sustainable harvesting with a jermal system.

"We may follow the regulation of the Protected Lake designation, but the most important thing is that with the status as a Protected Lake, we can still utilize this area sustainably and can fulfill our daily needs," said Teluk Aur Village fisherman, Sulaiman. .

The word "jermal" itself has two meanings. First, it means a communal fishing system, where fishing is done together. Jermal also refers to the fishing gear used, a kind of 25 x 40 m fishing net.

Under normal climatic conditions, Pengelang Lake will experience 6 months of low tide in the dry months and 6 months of high tide in the wet months of the rainy season. During the dry months when the lake water level decreases, the protected lake will be closed from fishing activities. During the wet months between October - March where the lake water level reaches a height of 10 m, this is an opportunity for the community to harvest some of the mature fish.

The first process is done by determining the location of the fish group. This is done by elders who have special skills. Next, the group of fish is herded towards the mouth of the jermal by beating the surface of the water and the edges of the herding boat. Not all fish are caught in this process; it is estimated that between 500 and 1000 kg of fish escape capture. After the fish enter the jermal, the four corners are slowly pulled so that they cone and collect the fish in the center of the jermal. Meanwhile, two canoes standby in the center of the net to "scoop up" the fish that have been collected.

Potential buyers were waiting at the edge of the lake to buy freshly caught fish. Local buyers who have made prior agreements both in terms of quantity and price come from surrounding villages such as Bunut, Jongkong, Empangau, and even residents of Teluk Aur Village itself.

Since 2009, "jermal" fishing has been conducted at least 6 times, 2 times each within 6 months. The first harvest in 2011 yielded 3,688 tons of fish with total sales of more than 18 million rupiah. Revenues increased in the second harvest in mid-December. Aur Bay fishermen managed to earn more than 20 million rupiah.

For the distribution system, 40% is distributed to villagers who participate in harvesting, while the rest is distributed to the treasury of 3 hamlets which are generally earmarked for community needs in the village such as development, education, compensation for the death of residents, Christmas celebrations and gawai (rice harvest party), and so on. For more information, please contact us.

Fishing rules are strictly enforced. All fishing gear is not allowed except for jermal. Fishermen are also only allowed to harvest during a mutually agreed season for fishing with the "jermal" system which is allowed. If anyone violates this rule, sanctions will be imposed, for example, if the violation is fishing with trawl gear, the trawl will be confiscated and fined Rp. 500,000. To date, there have been 2 cases where trawlers were confiscated and a fine of 500 rb was applied by the villagers.