BANGLI, DEWATA.NEWS – Authorities and local communities have intensified efforts to control the invasive red devil fish population in Lake Batur, Bangli Regency, amid growing concerns over ecological imbalance.
The first large-scale harvest under a program titled “Control of Invasive Red Devil Fish to Preserve Biodiversity in Lake Batur” was carried out on Friday (Feb 13), resulting in the capture of five tons of red devil fish.
The harvested fish were transported to a fish processing factory in Pengambengan, Jembrana—known as “Bumi Makepung”—to be processed into fish meal. The catch was purchased at IDR 2,000 per kilogram, generating approximately IDR 10 million from the initial harvest.
Head of the Bali Provincial Marine and Fisheries Agency, Putu Sumardiana, stated that Lake Batur is a strategic ecological, social, and economic asset that must be protected from invasive species such as red devil fish.
“Red devil fish are predators of tilapia. Fish farmers in Lake Batur have suffered losses because tilapia production has declined. The ratio is eight red devil fish to two tilapia,” he said.
The program is expected to reduce the population of the invasive species while providing additional income opportunities for local residents.
“This program will continue. We will explore and establish a cooperation agreement with fish meal companies in Jembrana,” Sumardiana added.
According to local residents around Lake Batur, approximately one ton of red devil fish can be caught each week. The catch is temporarily stored in holding cages before being transported to Jembrana in batches of two to three tons to improve efficiency.
Authorities hope sustained harvesting efforts will significantly reduce, or potentially eliminate, the invasive species in the lake.
“If possible, we hope the red devil fish can be eradicated so tilapia production returns to normal. This would improve the local fisheries economy,” he said.
The initial harvest event was attended by representatives from the Bali Provincial Marine and Fisheries Agency, the Governor’s Expert Team on Marine and Fisheries Affairs, the Bangli Agriculture, Food Security and Fisheries Office, local district authorities in Kintamani, Trunyan Village officials, Bangli Water Police Unit, the Batur UNESCO Global Geopark Management Body, community organizations, fisheries groups, and agricultural and fisheries extension officers.
Lake Batur is one of Bali’s most important freshwater ecosystems and supports aquaculture activities that provide livelihoods for local communities.