cfi-indonesia.id. The Semarang Fishing Center (BBPI) again carried out technical guidance activities (Bimtek) “Application of Fuel Oil Saving Device Technology for Fishing Fleets” in Southeast Maluku Regency (WPP 718). The activity was facilitated through CFI Indonesia's GEF-6 grant program “The Ecosystem Approach To Fisheries Management (EAFM) In Eastern Indonesia (Fisheries Management Area (FMA) - 715, 717 & 718)”. Components A, B, and D”.

The location of the technical assistance was Watkidat Village, West South Kei Besar District, Southeast Maluku Regency. Watkidat Village was chosen as the location of the activity because it is located in WPPNRI 718 and is also one of the villages assisted by CFI Indonesia's GEF-6 program. The Bimtek event lasted for two days, from September 24, 2024 to September 25, 2024.

Participants in the technical guidance on the application of fuel-saving technology for fishing fleets for 25 fishermen from Southeast Maluku Regency

The Bimtek activity was attended by 25 fishermen, consisting of 13 fishermen from Ohoi Watkidat and 12 fishermen from Ohoi Weduar Fer. The opening ceremony was attended by the Head of the Fisheries Service as well as the Acting Regional Secretary of Southeast Maluku Regency, the Acting Head of the Food Security Service of Southeast Maluku Regency, the Head of Ohoi Watkidat, the Head of Ohoi Weduar Fer, the Secretary of Ohoi Watkidat, the Site Manager of GEF 6 CFI Indonesia, and the BPPI Semarang implementation team.

The technical guidance was officially opened by the Acting Regional Secretary of Southeast Maluku Regency, Ir. Nicodemus Ubro, M.Si., and delivered his remarks. He said that this Bimtek activity is very important, especially for areas located in the outer island region, such as Ohoi Watkidat, where the availability of fuel oil is limited and even very difficult to obtain.

The gasoline saver tool (A-Mat Ben) introduced in the Bimtek is a fuel ionizer composed of permanent magnets of the neodymium magnet type. A-Mat Ben can ionize fuel molecules so that it is easier to bind oxygen which makes combustion in the engine combustion chamber more perfect, engine power increases, fuel consumption decreases with fuel savings ranging from 4% to 14% (BBPI team test results), and the content of exhaust emissions decreases so that air pollution is reduced or more environmentally friendly.

A-Mat Ben which is applied to outboard engines owned by fishermen participating in the Technical Guidance has advantages, among others: relatively small and compact in size so that it does not require a large space for its placement, does not require an electric power supply to activate it, is easy to install, and has magnetic protection to focus on working against the flow of fuel passing through it so that it is safe for all electronic equipment nearby.

The practical material was delivered by resource persons from BBPI, Oktavian Rahardjo and Oni Soeryono, on how to disassemble and install A-Mat Ben on existing fuel lines. During the delivery of the material, discussions were interspersed with discussions about fishing gear used by participating fishermen, problems related to fuel, brands and types of outboard engines used, the ratio of the mixture between gasoline and 2 (two) stroke oil, the implementation of field practices for unloading and installing A-Mat Ben on the participant's engine and boat, and sea trial plans.

Furthermore, the participants installed A-Mat Ben on their outboard engines accompanied by resource persons from BBPI. To ensure that the A-Mat Ben installed by participants on their outboard engines can function properly and does not interfere with engine performance when operating at sea, a sea trial was conducted. All participants moved their boats at sea followed by the entire Bimtek committee to the fishing locations of Ohoi Watkidat and Ohoi Weduar Fer fishermen.

In general, the participants were grateful for the Technical Guidance on the Application of Fuel Oil Saving Technology for Fishing Fleets in Ohoi Watkidat. They hope that A-Mat Ben (gasoline saver) can save fuel during fishing operations, become a solution to the fuel problems they experience, and in the future there will be similar activities for fishermen who have not had the opportunity this time.