Bioresources and diversity of snakehead, Channa striata (Bloch 1793): a proposed model for optimal and sustainable utilization of freshwater fish

Abstract

Abstract Among freshwater fishes in Indonesia, snakehead is an essential and valuable fish bioresources for a long time. Although breeding snakehead just started in the last decade, direct consumption, raw material for food industry and pharmacy/albumin source have already been developed earlier. This study outlines snakehead biological resources and their diversity, production trends and challenges, and understanding for strategic planning for its optimal and sustainable use. Of the 10 snakehead species in Indonesia, Channa striata is the most popular species. Although Indonesia’s snakehead production contributes significantly to global production, the production of this species in the last three decades still depends on inland fisheries around 73-97%, and the rest comes from aquaculture. Therefore, the decline in snakehead production occurs because of over-exploitation, seasonal influence and high vulnerability of the species to climate change. Bioresource flow model (BRFM) is proposed to optimize the use of snakehead to provide strategic planning for further development. This model includes a domestication program for aquaculture and conservation, hatchery production, an alternative understanding of snakehead aquaculture production systems, biotechnological improvement processing for albumin production, and wastewater treatment management.