BANGKA - PT Timah Tbk together with the Ridho Divine Bersatu Fishermen's Group, Kenanga Village, Sungailiat District, Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province drowned dozens of squid attractor units in the waters of the Rebo Sea, Tuesday (14/11/2023).
A total of 36 squid attractor units were sunk at four points with a radius of three miles from the shoreline. The sinking of this squid attractor is an effort by PT Timah Tbk to increase fishermen's catches in the area.
Bangka Belitung University Marine Science Lecturer, Indra Ambalika Sari, said that the sinking of the squid attractor by PT Timah Tbk together with fishermen groups was an effort to preserve the environment and maintain the squid population as well as improve the fishermen's economic sector.
“Bangka Belitung is famous for its Bangka squid and is the main commodity caught by fishermen. Because it has a high selling value, it becomes an economic source for them. "So, it would be a shame if we didn't protect this potential and preserve the population," he said.
Indra assessed that PT Timah Tbk's steps in carrying out squid attractor sinking were a form of marine environmental management carried out by the company.
"This activity is supported by PT Timah, from construction to sinking, everything is assisted by PT Timah. This is a form of PT Timah's attention to the sea and continues to be oriented toward marine rehabilitation by caring for its natural preservation. "Hopefully we can together protect the squid's spawning habitat," he said.
He hopes that in the future we can collaborate to create squid attractors in areas that have potential as squid breeding grounds.
“We have sunk the Squid Attractor at the Karang Kering Shoals location, Rebo Sea. "We are sinking them in two locations, namely in the west and the south, because entering the northern season, these areas have the potential to be spawning grounds for squid," he explained.
According to Indra, the drowning of squid attractors started in 2008. However, he said the squid attractor sunk today was the latest model.
In the past, he said, they made squid attractors using used drums or using wood. However, this new model uses an iron frame, with the aim of making it more durable, and with a new design so that it doesn't easily get caught in the net.
"We hope that with this type of attractor, this model can last three times longer than the previous type of attractor. The previous type of attractor only lasted around one year, but for this type we estimate it can last up to 3 years. Of course, this is more efficient," he explained.
He hopes that the sinking of this new model of squid attractor will enable the squid to lay larger eggs. Because it was deliberately designed to use bars to protect the squid eggs from predator attacks.
"So, this can make the squid feel more secure and produce more eggs," he said.
Meanwhile, Eko Hendra Susanto (33), one of the fishermen who took part in the squid attractor sinking activity, said that he was very grateful for the squid attractor sinking from PT Timah Tbk.
"Thank you PT Timah for helping us, hopefully in the future, there will be more attractors or FADs that will be sunk around this sea. "Because with more and more attractors and FADs being sunk, we don't have to go far to find fish," he said.
He also hopes that the squid attractor that has been sunk can increase their catches and that they will also have many new spots to look for fish and squid. (*)
