Climate change, characterized by rising air and water temperatures, poses a real challenge to the aquaculture sector. These conditions not only affect fish growth but can also disrupt the reproductive process, which is the foundation of sustainable aquaculture production.
In response to this challenge, Prof Agus Oman Sudrajat, during his Inaugural Lecture as a Full Professor at IPB University (6/27), proposed fish reproductive hormonal control technology as a solution to ensure the availability of fish fry and a source of protein for the community.
The Full Professor at the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) at IPB University explained that fish reproduction is heavily influenced by environmental conditions. Rising temperatures due to climate change can inhibit the release of reproductive hormones, causing broodstock to fail to reach gonadal maturity and preventing them from spawning optimally.
“This happened in 2017 during a prolonged drought, when many farmed broodstock at hatcheries failed to reach gonadal maturity. As a result, fry production was disrupted. In fact, all environmental influences are ultimately interpreted and responded to by hormones within the fish’s body,” he said.
He explained that when environmental conditions are not optimal, reproductive hormones are not produced in sufficient quantities, thereby disrupting the reproductive process. Through hormonal manipulation technology, these obstacles can be overcome so that parent fish remain capable of reproducing normally even when facing changes in environmental conditions.
“This innovation enables hatchery operators and fish farmers to produce fry year round, no longer relying on the rainy season which has traditionally been the natural breeding period for most tropical fish. As a result, the supply of fry can be maintained and support the sustainable increase in farmed fish production,” he said.
Prof Agus added that reproductive hormonal control technology is no longer limited to large scale industries. Products resulting from this innovation are now accessible to the general public through online marketplaces, enabling even small scale farmers to utilize them to boost the productivity of their operations.
“I am optimistic that the widespread adoption of this technology will bring significant changes to Indonesia’s aquaculture sector. Over the next 10 to 20 years, farmed fish production is projected to at least double, thanks to year-round reproductive capacity,” he said.
In addition, he said, hatchery productivity will increase, opportunities for developing new aquaculture species will expand, and conservation efforts will be supported through the production of fry for restocking fish in natural waters.
“Reproductive hormonal control is not only a technology to boost production but also a strategic tool to strengthen food security, support the sustainability of aquaculture, and preserve Indonesia’s fisheries biodiversity,” he concluded. (Lp) (IAAS/KQA)
