Opportunity and business challenge of marine ornamental fishes in Indonesia as a potential commodity of fisheries

Abstract

The business opportunity of marine ornamental fishes is very big and promises high profits, although the challenges faced are quite great. The high interest in Indonesia’s marine ornamental fishes currently leads to the growth of fish farmers or market actors who involves in ornamental fish business as its primary commodity. This study aims to analysis the opportunities and challenges faced in marine ornamental fish business in Indonesia. The research methodology used is descriptive analysis, which describes the data obtained for further analyzed and interpreted according to existing conditions, does not evaluate and examine the hypothesis but only describe the existing information in accordance to the variables studied. The results showed that the challenge in marine ornamental fish development business is the community behaviour in marine ornamental fish catching that damage habitat and coral reef as strategic habitat of various types of consumption fish and ornamental fish. The use of explosives, toxins and other illegal fishing that requires appropriate solutions to solve it. Therefore, the socialization of the importance of environmentally friendly ornamental fish catching must be immediately delivered to the community, including rehabilitation efforts of coral reefs which are the main habitat of marine ornamental fish.