Ido Maruli Silitonga, Nofrizal Nofrizal, Alit Hindri Yani

Construction and Design of the Dragon Trap in Insit Village, Tebing Tinggi Barat District, Kepulauan Meranti Regency, Riau

Introduction

Construction and design of the dragon trap in insit village, tebing tinggi barat district, kepulauan meranti regency, riau . Explore the construction, design, and effectiveness of dragon traps (bubu naga) for shrimp fishing in Insit Village, Riau. Details include dimensions, materials, and high shrimp catch rates.

Abstract

This study aims to examine the construction and design of dragon traps used by fishermen in Insit Village, Tebing Tinggi Barat Sub-district, Meranti Islands Regency, Riau Province. Dragon traps are passive and environmentally friendly fishing gear that have only been used since 2022, primarily targeting shrimp, with bycatch including fish and crabs. The research was conducted over two weeks from August 26 to September 9, 2024, using survey and field observation methods. Data were collected through direct measurements of the fishing gear, interviews with fishermen, and visual documentation. The results showed that the dragon traps have a total length of 15 meters, with the main structure consisting of 36 galvanized iron frames. The trap body is made of polyethene (PE) netting with a mesh size of 0.5 inches, measuring 40 cm in length, 45 cm in width, and 30 cm in height. It has 32 entry holes (ijep) arranged alternately. Other components include two catch-holding chambers measuring 50 cm in length, 38 cm in width, and 25 cm in height, PE binding ropes, and 5-meter-long stakes. The fishing location is in shallow, muddy waters with a depth of 2–3 meters and approximately 150 meters from the shoreline. During the study, the dragon traps caught 120 kg of white shrimp (Penaeus merguiensis) out of a total catch of 149 kg. This indicates that the bubu naga is quite effective in capturing shrimp as its main target species.

Review

This study provides a valuable descriptive account of the construction and design of "dragon traps" (bubu naga) used by fishermen in Insit Village, Kepulauan Meranti Regency. The detailed documentation of the trap's dimensions, materials, and components, from the galvanized iron frames to the PE netting and entry holes, offers a clear understanding of this specific fishing gear. The abstract effectively highlights the novelty of this trap in the region, its passive and environmentally friendly nature, and its apparent effectiveness in targeting white shrimp, as evidenced by the high percentage of shrimp in the total catch during the study period. Such foundational documentation of local fishing practices is crucial for understanding regional fisheries and their potential for sustainable resource management. While the descriptive aspects are well-covered, certain points warrant further attention. A critical inconsistency in the abstract is the stated research period (August 26 to September 9, 2024), which indicates a future date. This temporal discrepancy needs to be corrected for the study to be considered current and verifiable. Methodologically, while survey and field observation are mentioned, further details on the scope of these methods—such as the number of fishermen interviewed or the specific protocol for trap measurement—would enhance the study's robustness. Additionally, while the trap is deemed "environmentally friendly," a more quantitative analysis of bycatch, beyond merely stating its presence, would provide a more comprehensive ecological assessment. Overall, this paper lays an important groundwork by meticulously describing a relatively new and promising fishing technique in the region. To build upon this descriptive foundation, future research could delve into the socio-economic implications for local fishermen, a more extended analysis of catch per unit effort across different seasons, and a deeper exploration of the specific bycatch species and their fate. Addressing the temporal inconsistency and expanding on the methodological specifics would significantly strengthen the paper's scientific rigor and contribution, transforming it from a purely descriptive account into a more comprehensive and impactful study on sustainable fisheries.

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