Perspective plan for sustainable eel management in Lake Poso, Central Sulawesi

Abstract

Lake Poso has high eel potential and a strategic position in supporting the development of eel fisheries in Sulawesi. Lake Poso is out of 15 national priority lakes in natural resources and environmental management programs. The catch of eel from Lake Poso is reported to have been decreasing for the last twenty years. Several factors causing the decline in eel populations are fishing activities, disruption in migration routes, and other factors such as changes in habitat and environmental conditions. The sustainability of the life of the Poso eel is determined by the success of the eel migration process. The migration of adult eels to the sea and young eels from glass eels to freshwater habitats must continue. The perspective plans that can be done to manage Poso's eel resources include 1) Socializing the eco-biological characteristics of eels as catadromous fish; 2) Establishing conservation areas and regulation of eel fishing; 3) Increasing eel population through restocking 4) Integrating fisheries and aquaculture activities; 5) Developing eel culture technology through size segmentation production; 6) Developing an eel migration monitoring system; 7) Building a cross-sectoral forum and put a joint action program; 8) Proposing the Poso eel Research and Conservation Center.

Migratory freshwater fish in Indonesia: Threats and conservation efforts

“…Demand for eels in the international market, from Asia, Europe, America, and Australia, reaches 130,000 tons/year. From 130,000 tons/year global market demand, only 16.8% can be fulfilled from the catch and cultivation [14].…”

“…The eel catch in Lake Poso Central Sulawesi has been decreasing for the last 20 years, caused by fishing activities, disruption in migration and changes in habitat and environmental conditions. Two significant threats to the eel population in this lake are fishing activity and hydroelectric dam [14]. Lake Poso is located in Central Sulawesi, with its outlet the Poso river flowing into the Tomini Bay [18].…”

“…Two hydroelectric dams were constructed in the Poso River. Fishway installations were built in 2012 and 2019 to provide migration routes for eels [14]. The feasibility of the fishway is still being studied to function as expected..…”

“…The feasibility of the fishway is still being studied to function as expected.. The potential glass eel in Poso Estuary reaches 50 million glass eels/year [14]. However, there is no downstream migration facilities are included in the Poso hydroelectric design.…”