Advancing Inland Fisheries and Combating Microplastics in South Sumatra
From 3 to 5 September 2025, SEAFDEC/IFRDMD conducted a joint field activity under two collaborative initiatives: the Enhanced Research Capacities for Sustainable Utilization and Management of Eel and Other Inland Fisheries Resources (funded by JTF 7) and the Regional Collaborative Research and Capacity Building for Monitoring and Reduction of Marine Debris from Fisheries in Southeast Asia (funded by JAIF).
The activity took place along the Lematang and Enim Rivers in Muara Enim District, South Sumatra—an area renowned for its rich inland fisheries and riverine communities that rely heavily on these ecosystems for their livelihoods. The joint mission underscored the strong connection between sustainable fisheries management and environmental health.
Field surveys were carried out to collect water and fish samples suspected of microplastic contamination, in line with the JAIF project’s focus on monitoring and reducing marine debris from fisheries activities. At the same time, fish stock assessments were conducted using hydroacoustic technology, an advanced and non-destructive method introduced through the JTF 7 project to better understand the abundance and distribution of freshwater fish.
All collected samples were sent to the laboratories of SEAFDEC/IFRDMD and the Research Institute for Inland Fisheries and Extension (RIIFE) under the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) for further analysis. The findings are expected to provide valuable scientific evidence for enhancing research capacities on eel and inland fisheries management, while also addressing the growing concern of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems.
The activity also emphasized multi-stakeholder engagement. Staff from the Muara Enim Fishery Office and Fisheries Extension Officers from MMAF actively participated in the surveys, while students from Universitas Sriwijaya joined hands-on learning sessions, gaining practical field experience in microplastic studies and fisheries assessment.