Case 3-8 Promoting recruitment of new stocks by introducing artificial spawning beds: case of the Cuttlefish fishery in Djifer

The JICA COGEPAS project has identified cuttlefish resource management in Djifer as a priority challenge, with the mission of reducing fishing and improving the breeding environment. In Djifer, cuttlefish are caught in traps, and the branches attached to the traps serve as spawning places for cuttlefish. The cuttlefish is caught in the trap, but the eggs laid in the traps hatch in the sea. Hence, this type of cuttlefish fishing can enhance the resource through the promotion of reproduction. The branches attached to the traps need to be replaced every one-to-two weeks as their function as spawning places deteriorates over time. Therefore, the following fisheries resource management activities have been carried out for the cuttlefish trap fishery: (1) promotion of cuttlefish resource enhancement through the use of spawning beds, (2) introduction of artificial branches to reduce the cutting pressure of natural branches and save costs, and (3) training of fishers’ leaders. The economic efficiency of spawning beds using artificial branches and their biological efficiency in increasing resources were presented by fishers’ leaders at an international seminar. At the time of 2012, Djifer’s artificial branches were used by 57 cuttlefish fishing boats out of a total of 105.

We interviewed the Djifer fisheries office in June 2017 to find out how fisheries resource management activities have been conducted since then. Although the introduction of artificial branches for cuttlefish fishing has been effective, it has been difficult to obtain the materials in Djifer, making it difficult to sustainably use the artificial. Therefore, large quantities of Filao branches and leaves, which serve as a natural spawning place, were loaded onto horse-drawn carts and brought to the beach. Filao is still the main natural material for the spawning areas put in the cuttlefish traps.

The introduction of artificial branches for cuttlefish trap fishing was effective, but the materials could not be acquired locally, and it was difficult for local fishers to obtain them after the withdrawal of the donor(s). A stable supply of materials is essential for the sustainability of the activity.

Chapter 3 Implementation of resource management measures

Methods to encourage recruitment of new stocks include protection activities for spawning parent fish, such as the establishment of closed seasons, stock sanctuaries and fishery restriction zones, and the creation of spawning grounds, and protection activities for small undersized fish, such as release of undersized fish and regulation of fishing gear targeted at undersized fish.

This case is an example of resource management activities that promote the recruitment of new stocks by creating spawning grounds. The cuttlefish trap is both a fishing tool and a spawning substrate in the fishing method where the cuttlefish confine themselves in the trap by taking advantage of the nature of the squid to lay eggs on some kind of substrate in the sea. The potential of this type of fishing gear for stock enhancement should be further investigated.