PENTINGNYA DOMESTIKASI IKAN UNTUK MENGATASI KEPUNAHAN SPESIES IKAN LOKAL DI KEPULAUAN NIAS

Abstract

Domestication of local fish in the Nias Islands is an innovative conservation effort to address the decline of endangered fish populations due to overexploitation and environmental change. This study identifies the potential of domestication as a solution to extinction threats, as well as an economic resource for local communities. Data were collected through literature studies and field surveys to assess the success of domestication in improving the survival of local species. The results of the analysis showed that fish domestication was able to reduce pressure on wild populations, with an increase in survival of up to 30% in some selected species. In addition, domestication contributes to the economy through the stability of farmed fish supply, which supports food security and the well-being of coastal communities. However, the implementation of domestication in Nias Islands faces significant challenges, such as limited infrastructure, technical skills and environmental risks due to aquaculture waste. Overcoming these constraints requires infrastructure investment, ongoing training for fish farmers, and cross-sector collaboration to support the sustainability of the domestication program. This study concludes that fish domestication in the Nias Islands has great potential to conserve marine biodiversity and improve community welfare, provided that key challenges are addressed with an integrated and community-based approach.