Institutional Management of Floating Net Cages (KJA) in Jatiluhur Reservoir, Challenges and Policy Recommendations (Policy Brief)

Abstract

Jatiluhur Reservoir plays a vital role in providing raw water, irrigation, hydroelectric power, flood control, tourism activities, and as a center for aquaculture through Floating Net Cages (KJA). However, uncontrolled KJA activities have caused excessive ecological burdens, leading to a decline in water quality in the reservoir. The institutional management of KJA poses significant challenges, especially in terms of inter-agency coordination and regulatory enforcement. This study identifies the main issues and urgency in KJA management and provides policy recommendations that can be implemented to achieve sustainable management. The findings highlight the need to reduce the number of KJA units, enhance institutional coordination, clarify and enforce regulations, promote sustainable aquaculture practices, and align stakeholder perceptions to address these issues.

Background

Main Issues

Jatiluhur Reservoir is one of the largest and most important reservoirs in Indonesia, providing various economic and environmental benefits, and serving as a center for aquaculture through Floating Net Cages (KJA). However, the management of KJA in Jatiluhur Reservoir faces significant challenges, primarily due to the ecological carrying capacity of the reservoir being exceeded. Currently, the number of KJA units in Jatiluhur Reservoir reaches 23,000, far exceeding the optimal number of 19,401 units. This has led to a decline in water quality in the reservoir, potentially threatening the sustainability of aquaculture and other functions of the reservoir.

Urgency

The main urgent issue to be addressed is the institutional management of KJA in Jatiluhur Reservoir. Poorly coordinated institutions, unclear regulations, and differing stakeholder perceptions are major obstacles to achieving sustainable management. If not addressed immediately, the degradation of water quality will continue to increase, threatening the reservoir's ecosystem and ultimately harming the economy of communities dependent on KJA. Therefore, effective institutional arrangements and inter-agency coordination are urgently needed to address this issue and ensure the sustainability of water resources and aquaculture activities in Jatiluhur Reservoir.

Context

Jatiluhur Reservoir plays a multifaceted role, including providing raw water, irrigation, hydroelectric power, flood control, and as a site for tourism and aquaculture. However, uncontrolled KJA activities have put significant pressure on the reservoir's ecosystem. Various parties involved in reservoir management, including Perum Jasa Tirta II (PJTII), the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, local governments, and fish farming groups, have different roles and responsibilities. Unfortunately, the lack of coordination and differing perceptions among them often hinder effective decision-making.

Existing regulations related to KJA management, such as West Java Provincial Regulation No. 14 of 2002 and Purwakarta Regency Regulation No. 6 of 2010, are in place but weakly implemented. These regulations need to be clarified and strictly enforced to limit the number of KJA units and ensure that aquaculture activities do not harm the environment. Additionally, there needs to be closer relationships between PJTII, fishery extension officers, and aquaculture groups to increase awareness and adoption of sustainable practices.

Overall, the institutional management issues of KJA in Jatiluhur Reservoir encompass regulatory, inter-agency coordination, and environmental awareness issues. Better institutional arrangements and stronger coordination among all related parties are key to addressing these problems and achieving sustainable management goals.

Key Findings

Overcapacity of KJA Units Jatiluhur Reservoir currently faces serious issues related to the overcapacity of Floating Net Cages (KJA). The number of KJA units in the reservoir has reached 23,000, far exceeding the optimal capacity of 19,401 units. This situation has caused excessive ecological burdens on the reservoir, resulting in a significant decline in water quality. Water pollution generated from fish feed waste and metabolites accelerates the eutrophication process, disrupting the balance of the aquatic ecosystem and endangering the sustainability of aquaculture activities in the future.

Diverse Stakeholder Perceptions Stakeholders involved in KJA management in Jatiluhur Reservoir have varying perceptions regarding the issues faced and the best ways to address them. These differences include views on environmental quality, the ideal number of KJA units, and effective management methods. This variation complicates the decision-making process and goal alignment, often hindering the implementation of necessary policies to address the environmental and social issues arising from KJA activities.

Institutional Coordination Issues One of the main challenges in managing KJA in Jatiluhur Reservoir is the lack of direct coordination between Perum Jasa Tirta II (PJTII) and fishery extension officers. PJTII, as the main manager of the reservoir, does not have a close relationship with fishery extension officers who are supposed to play a crucial role in providing education and guidance to fish farmers. As a result, the management efforts for aquaculture activities are less effective, and many potential innovative solutions cannot be fully implemented.

Regulatory Framework The existing regulations related to KJA management in Jatiluhur Reservoir are comprehensive, covering various technical and operational aspects. However, these regulations are often unclear and inconsistently enforced. The lack of enforcement has resulted in many violations going unaddressed, such as the number of KJA units exceeding the reservoir's carrying capacity. This weakness in regulatory implementation exacerbates environmental degradation and reduces the effectiveness of current management efforts.

With a clearer understanding of these key findings, it is hoped that more strategic steps can be taken to address the challenges of KJA management in Jatiluhur Reservoir, ensuring the sustainability of the reservoir ecosystem, and improving the welfare of the surrounding communities.

Policy Recommendations

Reduce and Regulate KJA Units The first step to be taken is to reduce the number of KJA units in Jatiluhur Reservoir to the optimal capacity that has been determined. To achieve this, immediate and firm actions are required to lower the current number of KJA units from 23,000 to 19,401 units. Regulatory enforcement should be tightened by limiting the issuance of new licenses for KJA and ensuring compliance with established limits through regular monitoring. This reduction will help lessen the ecological burden on the reservoir and improve the already degraded water quality.

Strengthen Institutional Coordination Building a consultative relationship between Perum Jasa Tirta II (PJTII), fishery extension officers, and fish farming groups is crucial to enhance communication and cooperation among institutions. This can be achieved by holding regular joint meetings and training sessions to align management objectives and practices. Better coordination will allow each party to share information and strategies, ultimately strengthening overall KJA management efforts and ensuring more sustainable aquaculture practices.

Enhance Regulatory Clarity and Enforcement Existing regulations need to be clarified and strictly enforced. This includes revising regional regulations (Perda) to reflect current environmental needs and ensuring that the regulations are easy to understand and implement. Enforcement mechanisms must be strengthened with strict penalties for non-compliance. By doing so, it is hoped that compliance with regulations will increase, and the negative impacts of KJA activities on the environment will be minimized.

Promote Sustainable Practices The adoption of sustainable aquaculture practices should be encouraged through various means. Reducing the use of fish feed, avoiding materials that can potentially pollute the environment, and implementing sedimentation control measures are some examples of practices that can be adopted. The government and related parties can provide incentives for KJA operators who comply with environmentally friendly practices, such as technical assistance or tax relief. With these incentives, it is expected that KJA operators will be more motivated to maintain the environmental sustainability of the reservoir.

Align Stakeholder Perceptions It is important to align the perceptions and goals of all stakeholders involved in the management of Jatiluhur Reservoir. This can be done through workshops and seminars that involve all parties, from the government, PJTII, fishery extension officers, to fish farming groups. These activities aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impacts and benefits of sustainable management, so that every decision made can balance economic benefits with environmental sustainability.

Conclusion

Addressing the institutional challenges in managing KJA activities at Jatiluhur Reservoir is crucial for sustainable aquaculture development. By reducing the number of KJA units, improving institutional coordination, clarifying regulations, promoting sustainable practices, and aligning stakeholder perceptions, we can ensure that the reservoir continues to provide its multifaceted benefits without compromising its ecological integrity. Implementing these steps is expected to not only improve the water quality and ecosystem of the reservoir but also enhance the welfare of the communities dependent on aquaculture activities.

Reference

Fitri, N., Hidayat, A., & Gandhi, P. (2016). Daya dukung lingkungan dan kelembagaan usaha Keramba Jaring Apung (KJA) di Waduk Jatiluhur. Risalah Kebijakan Pertanian dan Lingkungan, 3(3), 248-261.