
The Center for Study and Empowerment of Marine and Fishery Resources (Pusaran KP) participating in Decentralised Development Lab, an incubator program event sponsored by The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. The project title called “Green Mussel For Mangrove Restoration And Greenbelt Protection (GeMaPro)”. As the project leader, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Rejeki, M.Sc explained that this project is the follow-up of the Associated Mangrove Aquaculture (AMA) program for mangrove restoration organized by Building with Nature Indonesia (BwNI). Located in Onggojoyo and Tambakbulusan Village, Demak Region, Central Java, Indonesia, this project focus to develop additional revenue source for artisanal fishermen, who have successfully implemented AMA. This project providing bamboo construction in coastal waters in waterfront mangroves for green mussels attachment.
The greenbelt of mangrove restoration improves the pond water quality, increases the nutrients in the coastal water, thus rich in the natural food for mussels. Mangrove is also considered a biofilter due to its root’s ability to absorb pollutants includes heavy metals. Green mussels were previously considered to have no economic value. Since 2018, green mussels had been taken into account as a fishery commodity because their price is increasing. The price of green mussels increased from IDR 8,000 per kg in 2018 to IDR 15,000 per kg in 2020. Green mussels attach naturally to bamboo construction in the mangrove ecosystem area. The mussels grow well because the surrounding water is rich in natural food. The mussels are also safe for consumption because mangrove roots can absorb pollutants including heavy metals.
The green mussels can be harvested 4 times a year. Moreover, the mangrove restoration will also increase the artisanal fishermen catch due to the mangrove ability to provide environmental services in the waterfront mangrove, i.e. a nursery ground and feeding ground of economic valuable marine species that could increase income and the livelihood of the coastal community, increase food safety and economic resilience. Thus, green mussel culture can provide artisanal fishermen and odd workers income and, thus they will take part in mangrove restoration and mangrove greenbelt protection bot for their advantage and mangrove ecosystem.
News source : www.digitalmangrove.id