cfi-indonesia.id.  The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), through the Center for Fisheries (BBPI), again increased the capacity and skills of traditional fishermen. The activities were in the form of Training in the Manufacture and Repair of Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Ship Cases, Assembly of Fishing Nets (Gilnets), and Training in the Use of GPS and Fish Finders for 30 traditional fishermen in East Seram Regency (SBT), Maluku Province (WPP 715). The activity was facilitated through GEF 6 CFI Indonesia grant funding. (23-26/7/2024).

This training emphasizes field practice more than theory (75% practice and 25% theory). The activity was carried out for four days, 23-26 July 2024, in Bula District. Participants were given the material on how to laminate and repair fiberglass ship hull laminates, assemble gillnets, and operate GPS and Fishfinders on ships in operation.

The training was opened by Assistant 2 of the SBT Regency Secretariat on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in the Siga Fua Meeting Room. Furthermore, the delivery of theory by speakers from BBPI Semarang, and from July 24 to 26, 2024, the activity continued with practice in the field, at the shipyard for lamination practice, the Fishermen's Hall for net-making practice, and in the waters of Sesar Bay for GPS and Fish Finder operation practice.

In his speech, Ramli Sibualami, S.Pi., M.Si. as Assistant 2 of the SBT Regency Secretariat, said that the training activities for repairing kasko, nets, GPS, and Fish Finder are critical and fundamental because they increase the capacity and competence of fishermen. "This training will also have a positive, sustainable impact on the understanding and thought patterns, daily actions of the community, and will continue to spread more widely to the surrounding community and the next generation." Said Ramli.

In his opening remarks, Umar Soleh, S.Pi., M.Si, a representative from BBPI Semarang, said that this training was facilitated by competent speakers in their fields, including experts in fishing gear and fishing aids, shipping, electro, and ship engines, standardization analysts, and fisheries production managers. "We hope that participants can take the training seriously, absorb the knowledge, and not hesitate to ask questions and discuss during practice in the field," Umar hoped.

Fiberglass lamination and ship hull repair practices were performed at a Limumer Village, Bula District Shipyard. All participants were given an understanding of mixing the proper material formulation and lamination techniques in making and repairing ship hulls correctly and effectively. The training participants, divided into 6 groups, carefully followed the entire series of practices. Each group tried to make a mixture of lamination materials in the form of resin and catalysts applied to Chopped Strand Mat (CSM) and Woven Roping (WR) fibers. The practice continued with making 3-layer, 5-layer, and 7-layer laminate layers along with ship reinforcements, the gel coat process, and the practice of repairing ship hull laminations that were previously intentionally damaged.

"We thank GEF-6, KKP, and BBPI Semarang for the fiberglass lamination training. It is new knowledge for us because, so far, we have never tried to repair the ship's hull ourselves. After the training is finished, I will try to practice the science of fiberglass lamination," said Ismail Rumau, one of the training participants from Kilwaru Village (24/07).

The third day's activities continued with the practice of operating GPS and Fish Finder in Teluk Sesar Waters using 2 fishing boats owned by fishermen. The practice began with setting up the equipment, installing GPS antennas and Transducers on the ship's body, and continuing to operate the equipment. All participants were very enthusiastic about participating and trying to practice using GPS and Fish Finder, as expressed by one of the training participants from Bula Village, Wahyudi Rumbalifar.

"I came to know and understand how to use GPS and Fish Finder , starting from installing the device on the ship, turning on and operating the device, to utilizing the device in operations at sea. GPS and Fish Finder to find out the seabed, the presence of coral reefs and the presence of fish, and more importantly to know the current position and direction of the ship to be operated," explained Wahyudi.

The training was closed with a gillnet assembly practice at the KUD Lembaga Seram Grup Mandiri Fishermen's Hall, Bula Village, which began with designing gillnet fishing gear, determining the design of gillnet fishing gear, calculating the construction requirements of the gear, and ending with assembling the gillnet fishing gear.

Abdul Mutalib Rumasukun from Geser Village, East Serang District, appreciated this activity. "I am very happy and grateful, because we get a lot of material from the practice of making nets ( gillnets ) that we have done. Previously in making nets we only relied on experience, now we understand how to make constructions, calculate the materials used and assemble them to be stronger and more efficient," said Mutalib,

Hasan Sangaji, S.Pi., the Site Manager of WPP 715, in his closing remarks, said that training on making and repairing fiberglass ship hulls, assembling fishing nets (Gilnet), as well as training on using GPS and Fish Finder is essential activities and provide direct benefits to training participants. "From those who have never seen and tried, now they know and dare to try, which was originally just being able to become more understanding and comprehending. It is expected that each participant will practice it themselves at home, such as when finding damage to the ship hull, using GPS and Fish Finder when going to sea, and assembling their own gillnets," concluded Hasan.