Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung, Oct 8 (Antara) - The provincial administration of Bangka Belitung plans to establish a national and international-scale research center for red squid on Tuing beach in Bangka district to improve the local community's welfare.
Bangka Belitung to Establish Squid Research Center On Tuing Beach ," the Head of the Regional Planning and Development Board, Yan Megawandi said on Thursday.
He explained to Tuing that the surroundings of the beach are very suitable for nesting red squid as the population of marine biota on the beach is abundant.
"We will continue to develop and promote Tuing beach as a tourist destination and a place to study the squid," he added.
Yan pointed out that the red squid breed was common in Tuing because of the area being its natural habitat, along with the support given by the coral reefs in the vicinity.
"We can directly see the squid spawn in the wild, and that makes the beach very suitable as a place for researching and the cultivation of red squid," he stated.
According to Yan, the development of Tuing as a research center for red squid will be greatly beneficial for local communities as they can cultivate the species that has high economic value.
"So far, the local fishermen have not been able to meet the demand for squid red for the national market because they still rely on traditional fishing gear," Yan noted.
However, he said that if the red squid can be cultivated, high market demand will be met.
"Hopefully this year, Tuing and the surrounding waters will become a research center, so that the output can be used by the community," Yan said
