By: Said Rahmad Annesva (Local Facilitator of Aquaculture Improvement Program (AIP) in Aceh and North Sumatra)

The simultaneous tiger shrimp seed stocking activity carried out by the Jak Ue Neuhun/JUN group in Blang Mangat District, Lhokseumawe City, is an important asset to maintain togetherness between farmers. Tiger shrimp, which is a germplasm in Aceh, is currently threatened by the presence of introduced species, especially vannamei shrimp which are massively cultivated. However, the group led by Junaidi remains committed to continue cultivating tiger shrimp by stocking together in the first cycle of 2016.

Preparations for seed stocking have been carried out by the JUN group since mid-February 2016 with Tiger Shrimp BMPs as a guide in the land preparation section, namely the land drying stage, embankment repair, basic land treatment and water preparation for stocking. On the sidelines of the activity, the AIP Local Facilitator in Aceh together with the group management sought a reliable source of fingerlings through assistance from the Ujong Batee Brackish Water Aquaculture Center (BBAP). BBAP Ujong Batee then connected the group with Munir's hatchery and H. Leuk hatchery, which is a partner of BBAP itself.

The stocking activities carried out in Blang Mangat District on March 15 and 16 used a total of 259,000 shrimp fry involving 26 members of the JUN Group from five villages. The members involved showed a sense of togetherness with each other by not showing differences in position. When the seeds arrived at the group's pond area, the farmers immediately conducted a traditional ceremony or also known as peusijuk in Acehnese so that the seeds stocked brought good benefits and the cultivation process ran smoothly without obstacles.

The seed stocking is applied using Wind Shrimp Cultivation BMPs in order to change the behavior of cultivators of JUN Group members towards sustainable and responsible cultivation practices. Junaidi, hopes that this joint stocking activity can continue to be carried out, with the aim of maintaining environmental sustainability, especially being able to maintain mangrove habitat around aquaculture ponds. In addition, Junaidi hopes that the harvest from this joint stocking activity will increase the number of harvests so as to improve the welfare of JUN Group members.

Changing the Way Sustainable Cultivation Practices
Azhar, as the advisor of JUN Group, said that during the 4 years of WWF-Indonesia's assistance to the group, many positive things were given regarding tiger shrimp farming practices in Lhokseumawe, "We have changed the way of tiger shrimp farming, especially in the procurement of quality tiger shrimp fry. Previously, we never checked the quality of the fry in the laboratory until we measured the salinity and Ph of the water. It is fitting that we give high appreciation to WWF-Indonesia for opening our eyes to sustainable aquaculture."

The same thing was also conveyed by Ramli, as the treasurer of the JUN Group, that the stocking activities that have been carried out simultaneously must have an impact on unity and integrity. Because according to Ramli, the group that carried out this seed stocking activity is not necessarily carried out in other places besides Aceh. So it is fitting that the cultivators who are members can be proud and heartened to continue to carry out this activity together.

Abdul Rauf, vice chairman of the JUN Group, also revealed that the success they have had so far has not been easy. There are many problems that they have to face in the group, but the simultaneous stocking that is directly escorted by WWF-Indonesia gives strength to the farmers to continue to innovate in a better direction.

"Group members have also shown government agencies what we have done so far by implementing simultaneous stocking in accordance with BMPs. It is hoped that simultaneous stocking can be a filter against the spread of WSSV disease which has caused considerable losses to tiger shrimp farmers," explained Abdul Rauf.

Until now, WWF-Indonesia still oversees the daily activities of the group members in emphasizing the recording of activities in the pond. In addition to matters relating to aquaculture, group strengthening activities are also the main emphasis so that the local government of Lhokseumawe recognizes the sustainable activities carried out by the JUN Group.