Innovation for Fishermen in Batu Beriga Village Welcomed Positively by Regent
The IPB University Dosen Pulang Kampung (Dospulkam) is not only a forum for transferring the knowledge and experience of lecturers and researchers. Furthermore, this community service program also presents appropriate technological innovations that provide solutions for the community.
On the coast of the Bangka Belitung Islands, specifically in Batu Beriga Village, Lubuk Besar District, the IPB University Dospulkam team collaborated with the Central Bangka Regency Government to introduce innovations to increase fishermen’s productivity.
Prof Mohammad Imron, as the team leader, said, “Today we are introducing a portable cooling machine (coolbox) with solar panels, squid attractors, as well as echosounders and fishfinders to detect fish groups in the sea.”
One of the innovations that caught attention is the portable coolbox with a solar panel as its power source, which can replace ice cubes. This device uses several components such as a compressor, condenser, inverter, and battery.
Solar panels as an energy source can last up to 10 hours, with a production cost of Rp7-8 million. This device can be modified according to the needs of fishermen.
“By using solar panels, the need for electrical energy that is usually generated from generators can be reduced, thereby reducing operational costs and increasing fishermen’s income,” he explained.
Next, Prof Imron and his team Prof Mulyono, Prof Sugeng Hari Wisudo, and Prof Uju introduced a squid attractor that serves to increase squid catches. This innovation has been tested and proven to be effective in various regions.
Echosounder technology was also presented as a tool to detect the presence of fish in the depths of the sea, making it easier for fishermen to determine the location of fish to be caught more effectively.
The Regent of Central Bangka, Algafry Rahman, appreciated IPB University’s initiative in bringing new technology and knowledge to his region. “This program is a golden opportunity for our fishermen to increase their catch and improve their welfare. The presence of these professors is clear evidence of their concern for coastal communities,” he said.
On this occasion, the government also handed over social security assistance from BPJS Ketenagakerjaan to 100 fishermen in Batu Beriga Village, as well as Garmin Fishfinder devices from the Garmin Marine team to the local fishermen’s cooperative.
Not only focusing on appropriate technology in the field of capture fisheries, the Dospulkam team also equipped the fishermen’s wives with the skills to process fish into various nutritious products that were distributed to children in early childhood education centers. In addition, they taught techniques for packaging Bangka’s signature yellow spice paste to expand marketing opportunities. (IAAS/RWA)
