Banyuwangi sea waters have been known as one of the producers of export quality lobster. Even the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (CCP) interested in establishing a lobster center in Banyuwangi.
One of the lobster cultivation locations in Banyuwangi is on the Grand Watu Dodol beach (GWD) Banyuwangi. Here is a Lobster Cultivation Pilot Unit, Marine and Fisheries Research and Human Resources Agency, KKP Bangsring Fisheries Training and Extension Center.
In this place students, and academics from various campuses in Indonesia together with local fishing groups, Pesona Bahari conducts research and development on lobster cultivation.
“Here the one we developed is the recirculation method,” kata M. Chusnan Ma'arif, semester students 3 Master of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Diponegoro University, who is currently conducting research there.
In this method different types of lobster seeds (benur) sized 0,4 until 0,6 Grams that already have color pigments are placed in circulation tanks for cultivation.
“This method is in accordance with the KP Ministerial Regulation No 17 Year 2021, about segmentation of lobster cultivation business in Indonesia,” said the student who received the Education Fund Management Institute scholarship (LPDP) the Ministry of Finance.
The man who is familiarly called Arif said:, One tub of water can be filled 36 lobster seeds. However, one lobster and another must be separated using a pipe because of its cannibalistic nature. In the unit there are around 24 a tub filled with seawater. “During the cultivation period, the temperature must continue to be controlled, the sanitation, disolved oxygen, and others,” explained Arif.
For lobster seeds, according to Arif, much is obtained from the catch of fishermen in the waters of Banyuwangi. The lobster seeds are in the recirculation tanks for 4 until 5 months to achieve the target of increasing the size to 5-10 gram.
“After from the recirculation tank, the lobsters are transferred to lobster cages and cultivated on the seabed,” explained Arif.
Enlargement in seabed cages takes about five months to reach size 150 until 200 gram. “For sand lobster at least 150 gram, and other types 200 grams to be harvested,” added Arif.
One cage can produce 40 kilograms of lobster. While in GWD there are six cages. “Once harvest can reach 2,5 until 3 quintal. For ukutanv150 to 200 grams price between Rp 400.000 up to Rp 500.000 one kilogram,” said Arif.
The price could be higher if the lobster size is bigger. Usually the lobsters ready to harvest are exported to Singapore.
Achmad Subijakto, Head of Bangsring Fisheries Training and Extension Center, Marine and Fisheries Ministry (CCP), said lobster from Banyuwangi is recognized as having export quality.
“Compared to other producing areas, It is necessary to admit that the lobster cultured from Banyuwangi waters has good quality. Lobsternya fresh, export quality,” kata Toto, Achmad Subijakto's nickname.
Toto explained, Banyuwangi fishermen have succeeded in cultivating lobster in northern waters.
“The result is quite surprising for us, turns out the quality is natural quality. So even though cultivation, the quality is like a catch. Export worthy. Production increased sharply. Even routinely export to Singapore, Taiwan, Hongkong, and various other countries,” kata subijakto.
That is why KKP will set up a lobster center in Banyuwangi. Banyuwangi Regent, Ipuk Fiestiandani said that the huge potential of lobster will be more optimal if it is maximized. Especially with the help of the central government by making Banyuwangi a lobster research center, Banyuwangi fishermen will also benefit.
“We really support, because for us this is part of a development that has a vision of sustainability (sustainable). In line with what Banyuwangi has wanted to develop so far,” he said.
