MANGROVE EDUCATION AND SILVOFISHERY STUDY

Monday, November 14^th, 2022, Yagasu (Yayasan Gajah Sumatra), in collaboration with the PSL (Natural Resources Management Study Program) of USU (Universitas Sumatera Utara), held mangrove education activities and silvofishery development for fisher communities in Paluh Kurau Village, Hamparan Perak Sub-district, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra. This activity is a form of implementation of the cooperation agreement between Yagasu and USU, which was signed on September 28t^h, 2022.

This activity was attended by Professors and Lecturers of USU, including Prof. Dr. Ir. Evawany Yunita Aritonang, M.Si (Deputy Director I SPs), Prof. Rahmawaty, S.Hut, M.Sc, Ph.D. (Head of PSL Masters and Doctoral Study Programs), Prof. Dr. Ir. Abdul Rauf M.P and Dr. Delvian, S.P, M.P (SPS S3 PSL). The participants of this program involved ten people consisting of Yagasu staff, USU postgraduate students, and the local fisherman community.

Mangrove Education and Silvofishery Study aim to educate the fisher community about a simple way of analyzing water and soil pH and pyrite content for land suitability for silvofishery ponds. Silvofishery is a traditional technology aquaculture system that combines the fishing business with mangrove planting, followed by a management system that minimizes inputs and reduces the environmental impact.

Prof. Rauf, from USU, who was the first speaker at the Mangrove Education and Silvofishery Study, explained tools and materials and demonstrated procedures for analyzing soil and water in silvofishery ponds to the participants. The initial stage of the analysis is to measure the pH of the oxidized soil using a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Then, proceed with measuring the original soil pH and the water’s pH.

Based on the analysis, the results showed that the pH of the oxidized soil in the ponds at this location was 3.3, indicating that the soil was in normal condition because it had a low pyrite content. If the oxidized soil pH is less than 2.5, the soil has a high pyrite content which will increase soil acidity, so it is not good for aquaculture. The measurement results also show that the original soil pH at this location is 6.4, while the water pH is 6.8, which indicates normal pond conditions.

The second speaker, Prof. Rahmawaty (USU), stated that silvofishery ponds are very well developed as an environmentally friendly green economy alternative, so they can answer sustainable environmental management solutions and improve the community’s economy.

Anton Syahputra Siregar, Yagasu’s Restoration Manager, hopes that this solid collaboration between Yagasu and PSL USU in the future can continue to motivate coastal communities to maintain mangrove forests sustainably. This activity is also very useful and can be easily implemented by the community, so it is expected to increase the quality and quantity of silvofishery pond production.

For more information:

Yayasan Gajah Sumatra / Gajah Sumatra Foundation

Jl Batu Gingging No. 69 Medan, North Sumatra,

+6261 4503 773, www.yagasu.or.id, Email : admin@yagasu.or.id