BANGKA – To increase the catch of fishermen in the company's operational area, PT Timah Tbk cooperates with the Joint Business Group (KUB) Bina Sejahtera Bersama Fishermen, Air Antu Hamlet, Deniang Village, Riau Silip District, Bangka Regency to make concrete fish FADs.
A total of 60 fish FADs made by KUB Fishermen Bina Sejahtera Bersama will be drowned at six points. PT Timah Tbk supports and involves them directly from the manufacture to sinking.
Head of KUB Fishermen Bina Sejahtera Juliadi said fish FADs were indeed effective in increasing fishermen's catches. The reason is, it will become a new home for fish.
"For us, having FADs is a saving for us, because we believe that with these FADs we will have a big harvest later," said Juliadi.
So far, the man who is often called Ali said they made FADs independently. Using used materials such as used tires, they realized this had a bad impact on the environment so they switched to making FADs with wood as the basis. Unfortunately, these wooden FADs could not last long.
When they received an offer from PT Timah Tbk to jointly make concrete FADs, they were very happy even though they had no experience in making concrete fish FADs.
“This is the first time for us to make concrete FADs. because we make these dives from used tires or wood. This FAD is effective because I have experienced in one month getting around 20 kilos of red snapper," he said.
Guided by PT Timah Tbk, they started work on making concrete fish FADs together with KUB members. They can also make FADs which are expected to increase their catches.
With these FADs, they are targeting several types of fish that will be around the FADs, for example, squid, reef fish, red snapper, sage, and grouper.
"Apart from that, from our experience in drowning FADs, we will drown them in areas or points dominated by these fish," he said.
He said that the production of FADs with PT Timah Tbk could add to their experience in making FADs. Even though they failed, they did not experience significant obstacles.
"I appreciate the enthusiasm of these friends. We work together for those who don't go to sea to make FADs, we take turns," he said.
Apart from making fish FADs, according to Ali last year they together with PT Timah Tbk also sunk a coral garden to support underwater tourism in their area.
"We hope PT Timah can continue to support and accompany us to create something very useful for fishermen," he said. (**)
