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Exotic Aquatic Organisms - International Development Research ...

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<strong>Exotic</strong> <strong>Aquatic</strong> Species Introduction<br />

into Indonesia<br />

H. MUHAMMAD EIDMAN<br />

Faculty of Fisheries<br />

Bogor Agricultural University<br />

Darmaga Campus, Bogor<br />

Eidman, H.M. 1989, <strong>Exotic</strong> aquatic species introduction into Indonesia, p. 57-62. In S.S. De Silva (ed.) <strong>Exotic</strong> <strong>Aquatic</strong><br />

<strong>Organisms</strong> in Asia. Proecedings of the Workshop on Introduction of <strong>Exotic</strong> <strong>Aquatic</strong> <strong>Organisms</strong> in Asia. Asian<br />

Fish. Soc. Spec. Pubi. 3, 154 p. Asian Fisheries Society, Manila, Philippines.<br />

The knowledge on the biology of the large freshwater fish fauna of Indonesia is limited. Domestication of endemic<br />

species has not been done intensively. Introduction of exotic species started long time ago by the fish traders especially as<br />

ornamental fish. Intended introduction of aquatic species in later years was for aquaculture, ornamental purposes and<br />

mosquito eradication. Some introductions have been beneficial while others directly or indirectly disturb the ecosystems.<br />

Indonesia as an Indo - Australian archipelago consists of many islands, and spreads between<br />

Pacific and Indian oceans. It has a rich flora and fauna. This paper will deal mainly with<br />

freshwater organisms since introduction of marine organisms is limited, and sparsely<br />

documented.<br />

The freshwaters of the western part of Indonesia (Sunda region) which includes Sumatra,<br />

Kalimantan and Java are inhabited by more than 500 indigenous species of fish, 70 % of which<br />

belong to Ostariophysi and Labyrinthici, the dominant freshwater groups. Eastern Indonesia<br />

(Sahul region) which includes Irian Java has more than 100 fish species and is dominated by<br />

euryhaline species. Central Indonesia (Wallace region) which includes Sulawesi and the Nusa<br />

Tenggara is inhabited by some 50 fish species (Ondara 1982).<br />

Even the endemic fish fauna is numerous, but little is known of their life histories, which<br />

hampers their domestication. Instead of domesticating the local species, which of course needs<br />

more time and effort, people tended to take short cuts by introducing the already domesticated<br />

species available in the market. Some species improved the fisheries and aquaculture production<br />

while others were a failure.<br />

Present Status of <strong>Exotic</strong> <strong>Aquatic</strong> Species in Indonesia<br />

Information on the introduction of fish into Indonesia was reviewed by Schuster (1950). The<br />

major introductions are summarized in Table 1. The introductions into Indonesia are divisible<br />

into a number of eras.<br />

57

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