Setnet and Squid Attractors, Appropriate Technology to Improve the Welfare of Fishermen

Setnet is the appropriate technology designed by Prof. Mulyono S. Baskoro from the Department of  Fisheries  Resource Utilization, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science -Bogor Agrcultural University as a tool to trap fishes.  Setnet is permanently mounted on a single leadernet which has the function of blocking fish movement and guide them into the  nets or the catching areas.

Compared  with other fishing technologies, the advantage of Setnet technology, according to Prof. Mulyono, is its efficiency and its good level of productivity. Setnet is considered to be very economical, durable, easy to operate, the alive fishes caught, and combinable with the development of marine culture. In additon, it is environmentally friendly, as well as passive, it will  selectively catch the migrate fish species.
 
Prof. Mulyono added, Setnet can be developed to maintain the territorial integrity of the unitary of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) as it can be mounted on small or uninhabited islands, and can be developed to grow the cooperative business groups with fishermen (KUB / cooperatives). "Thus Setnet will assist the government in the empowerment programs for the coastal communities to improve the welfare of fishermen," explained Prof. Mulyono in his scientific oration, on Saturday, 19 November 2011, at the  Grha Widya Wisuda, Dramaga Campus.
 
Prof. Mulyono stated that  Setnet Technology has been widely used in fisheries areas. For example in 2006, the University  in cooperation with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (Directorate  General of  Capture) Jakarta,  and Marine and Fisheries Services Raja Ampat regency,  West Papua, Center for Development of Fishing, Semarang, PT Sorong Mina Raya to develop Setnet for that Province.

As the results of such cooperation, Prof. Mulyono informed that the local fishermen are capable to produce Setnet and successfully installed them at a depth of 40-50m. Accordingly, the Setnet installation have increased successfully the fishes catch of about 300 kg to 1 ton every day in each of the Setnet bag.
 
Setnet technology transfer is well-absorbed by the local fishermen, though solution to overcome obstacles should be taken care off  such as maintenance the net againts bio-fouling, currents, waves and theft.
 
In addition to Setnet technology, Prof. Mulyono also introduced  his invention to enrich squid resources technology with squid attractors to sustain coastal fisheries management efforts. Attractor squid will function as a place for squid to lay its eggs, then the eggs will attach to the attractors until they hatch. The development of attractor is to assist the community for  their business efficiency, to develop alternative livelihoods, and also for the enrichment of squid resources in a natural methods.  But the most important of all,  squid attractor is easy to produce, does not require special equipment and is inexpensive. With its very simple construction,  Setnet is shaped like a flower with a diameter of 120-130 cm and 35-40 cm high. It is made of  harmonica wire mounted at rope strands and its  top is covered with sheets of black plastic.
 
Strands of rope in  the inside of the attractor serves as a place to put the squid’ eggs. Sheets of  black plastic at  the top of the attractor is used to reduce the sunlight intensity for the eggs laid by squid and also as the protector. Usually, the attractors are attached in a long series of systems in the waters, each rope consisted of ten attractors with rows are usually 5 m apart. Benefits of squid attractors, among others: 1). As a means of collecting the squid; 2). To conserve the ecosystem and develop fishing area; 3). Coastal ecotourism area; 4). To rehabilate the coral reef ecosystems; and 5). To develop fishing economy for farmers.
 
From 2006 up to 2011, training program to produce and the installation of squid attractors in 24 regencies in Indonesia had been organized. Fish farmers on Dabi island, Pangkep District, of South Sulawesi have benefited from the installation of this squid attractors. So far, the results of their fishing have increased  from the usual  of 1-3kg/ day, following the installation of  squid attractor then they increased  into 5-10Kg/day. (Wied).