Identification of protected fish species as first step of conservation in River Keroh of Subwatershed Lematang Prabumulih City, South Sumatra

Abstract

Setiawan D, Patriono E, Ajiman. 2016. Identification on protected fish species as first step of conservation in River Keroh of Sub-watershed Lematang Prabumulih City, South Sumatra. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 2: 250-254. The junction of some small tributary streams in the area of swamp forest in river Medang is known as river Keroh, and this is a sub-watershed that empties directly into the river Lematang Prabumulih. These waters are productive waters and rich fisheries resources. This makes the area into one of the main places of fishing by local communities. Along with increased activity in the fishing by the community with the variety of fishing gear, and also forest conversion into agricultural and plantations land, there is impact to river Keroh area began to be disturbed, which in turn threatens the existence and fish wealth of the area that is ecologically priceless. Research on the fish species that are protected in the area of river Keroh not been done, so this research needs to be done. This is the descriptive exploratory research, conducted from upstream to downstream which empties directly into the river Lematang. Fish sampling conducted from April to June 2016 using the variety of fishing gear and information from local fisherman. The result shows that there are 4 species of fish are protected under IUCN Redlist status, including species protected by category Endangered namely Balantiocheilos melanopterus and Himantura signifer, while the status of Indonesia Protection Number 7 Year 1999, the protected species are Notopterus notopterus and Chitala lopis. With the discovered existence of the protected species, the area of river Keroh of Sub-watershed Lematang Prabumulih need to be maintained for species biodiversity, and the local authorities are expected to be able to make the protection status of the area.