Constraints to the Sustainability of Cage Aquaculture for Resettlement From Hydropower Dams in Asia: An Indonesian Case Study

Abstract

From 1985 to 1988, the Saguling and Cirata hydropower reservoirs in the highlands of West Java, Indonesia, displaced more than 40,000 families. As part of a comprehensive resettlement plan, an attempt to resettle 3,000 families in water-based f loating fish cage aquaculture and land-based aquaculture sup port was initiated. Although the reservoir cage aquaculture developments were successful from a fish-production viewpoint, since 1944 cage aquaculture has not been socially or environmentally sustainable. Fish cage aquaculture in reservoirs can be an important new means ofpopulation resettlement from hy dropower dam construction and protein production in tropical developing countries only with adequate government planning for fisheries; adequate fi nancial compensation for lost assets; rigid enforcement of institutional regula tions guaranteeing the long-term benefits of the new lakes for the exclusive use of the displaced people; enforcement of regulations on cage numbers to prevent environmental degradation; and adequate government subsidies for aquacul ture job creation, training, long-term extension support, and active monitoring.