Author

Aziz Salam

Subject

- Perikanan

Abstract

The tiny fish nike (Awaous melanocephalus) that hatched at lunar monthly basis has traditionally been a source of protein favored in Gorontalo Province. Concerns about food safety of nike is cautioned by the presence of the sporadic artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in the headwaters that uses mercury, while concerns about sustainable fishery arisen by highly demanding market so as to encourage fishermen to increase their catching capacity. This study aims to reveal the extent to which nike’s contribution to local food security is threatened from the view point of food safety and sustainability. Field research was conducted in the estuary of and in the Bone-Bolango River to observe the technology and methods of nike fishing and take samples of water and the juvenile fish for mercury content examination with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Human hair samples were taken at several places in the province to examine mercury contents by using Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). Secondary data on production and distribution were obtained from relevant offices. The result shows that the water and nike samples contain mercury at levels exceeding the quality standards determined by government. The mercury contamination of inhabitants and ASGM workers in three regencies are already in alert level higher than control group. Inter-island shipping of nike shows ups and downs from year 2010 to August 2015 and the improvement of fishing gear capacity may threaten sustainability. These results imply an urgent need of extended studies on many aspects of nike to ensure food security and sustainable fishery in the future. © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of ICSAFS 2015. Keywords: Nike; mercury; food security; sustainable fishery

Publisher

KnE Life Science

Contributor

Femy M. Sahami, Citra Panigoro, Yayu Indriati Arifin, Masayuki Sakakibara

Publish

2017

Material Type

ARTIKEL

Right

-