IFRDMD Conducts Survey in South Sumatra and Bengkulu Provinces

From 23 to 25 September 2025, the SEAFDEC/IFRDMD team carried out a field survey in Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra, and Kepahiang Regency, Bengkulu. This activity is part of the project “Enhanced Research Capacities for Sustainable Utilization and Management of Eel and Other Inland Fisheries Resources,” supported by the Japan Trust Fund (JTF) VII.

In Musi Banyuasin, the team collaborated with local fisheries officers to conduct a hydroacoustic survey of Cala Lake and the middle stretch of the Musi River. The work included water-quality measurements and fish-catch assessments—essential steps for monitoring the health and productivity of inland fisheries.

The survey then continued in Kepahiang, focusing on the upstream reaches of the Musi River. Similar methods were applied, again in partnership with local fisheries officers, to strengthen stock-assessment data and enhance scientific understanding of inland fish populations.

In parallel, the team implemented activities under the project “Investigation and Risk Assessment of Microplastic in Freshwater Fish,” funded by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). Fish samples collected from local fishers will be analyzed at the Research Institute for Inland Fisheries and Extension Laboratory to detect potential microplastic contamination.

Through these combined efforts, IFRDMD aims to improve the quality of inland-fisheries data and raise awareness of emerging threats such as microplastic pollution. The results will help support sustainable fisheries management, contribute to food security, and protect the livelihoods of communities that depend on inland water resources.