**3. Utilization**

The waters in peat areas are the habitat of various types of fish which are the main source of livelihood for many fishermen [25, 26]. Indonesia has significant potential and problems in utilizing biodiversity resources to meet human food demands by providing protein sources, enhancing well-being, and contributing to national development, due to its high number of genetic resources [27]. The Indonesian government has released a guidebook for the Strategic Plan for Indonesia's Biodiversity, which aims to increase the contribution of genetic resources as assets or natural capital in national development [28, 29], as well as a Blue Economic Development Framework for Indonesia's Economic Transformation [30].

Indonesia has regulated the sustainable exploitation of fish resources in inland waters and domesticated local freshwater fish species for aquaculture and conservation in terms of fish genetic resources [31]. The Asian red-tailed catfish, "bilih" (*Mystacoleucus padangensis*), snakehead, sheat catfish, tinfoil barb, pangas catfish, and dwarf gourami are among the 38 species that have been used, with a total production of 307,593 tons representing 7 dominant species (**Figure 1**). In comparison with overall freshwater fish output, total catches accounted for only 10% of total

**Figure 1.**

*Total capture production of Indonesian freshwater fish in 2017 [32].*

freshwater fish production. Meanwhile, aquaculture produced 3.3 million tons, accounting for 90% of overall production. Nile tilapia, African catfish, pangas catfish, common carp, and giant gourami are five species that make significant contributions to aquaculture productivity. Despite the abundance of fish genetic resources, the low number of species and fish productivity imply that genetic resource exploitation is not yet ideal.

On the other hand, overexploitation of fish genetic resources and habitat as well as water pollution, land conversion, degradation, and climate change have harmed freshwater ecosystems [33, 34]. As a result, adequate strategic programming and planning are urgently needed to prevent fish biodiversity losses and improve the use of freshwater genetic resources.

The first strategy can be used to boost fisheries productivity in both the fisheries and aquaculture sectors by optimizing a variety of fish genetic environments. In general, the capture fisheries dominat the use of peatlands' fish resources. Meanwhile, pond culture using water from tidal rivers continues to dominate the growth of freshwater fish farming on peatlands. As a result, it is frequently hampered by the presence of acidic water with a pH of 3 or below, which causes complete fish mortality. The low pH factor, that it may be argued, is the most significant impediment to the growth of fish farming in Central Kalimantan Province.

A solution to solve the existing low pH problem is required to maximize the potential of peatlands through fisheries. The optimal use of indigenous fish that have adapted to the environment is a strategy that can be implemented using a biological approach. In general, fish that can take/breathe oxygen from the air (air breathing) dominate local fish in peat waters, such as betok/papuyu fish (*Anabas testudineus*), tambakan/biawan (*Helostoma temminckii*), siamese sepat (*Trichopodus pectoralis*), carp/kalui (*Osphronemus g*or*amy*), cork/haruan (*Channa striata*), and to snakehead (*Channa micropeltes*). Another biological option is to introduce fish from outside the

*Sustainable Development: The Case for Aquatic Biodiversity in Indonesia's Peatland Areas DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.105919*

area, as well as designed fish that are resistant to peat waters with low pH. Siamese catfish (*Pangasianodon hypophthalmus*), African catfish (*Clarias gariepinus*), and BEST strain tilapia (*Oreochromis niloticus*) are among the fish that have been imported and developed in peat waters (Bogor Enhanced Strain Tilapia).

Local or native fish in peatland waterways, in general, have significant economic significance for the communities surrounding the peatlands. Due to extremely high price spikes that occur during specific seasons, peat fish can cause inflation, particularly in the Kalimantan region. It is thought that with a little aquaculture technology, it will be possible to maximize the potential of current local fish in order to increase the fishing community's welfare in a sustainable way. Local fish in peat waters with the ability to adapt directly in these waters can also be used in a sustainable biological development strategy, either through domestication or conservation programs based on local wisdom that will be able to develop local fisheries in the context of optimizing peatland waters.

Fisheries growth is inextricably linked to the development of fish commodities, which are the primary source of foreign cash for the country. Fish placed into peatland waters must have a monetary value for the individuals who raise them. Furthermore, these fish are capable of adapting to the harsh circumstances found in peat bogs. It is projected that peat waters' production and productivity will rise as a result of the farming technology that can be implemented in peat waters via introduced species of fish. The peat waters for fish culture with Siamese Catfish, Catfish, and Tilapia is for the utilization of peat waters.

To improve the peatland aquatic environment, an environmental management method can be applied, such as using materials that can be used to raise the pH content of the waters. This strategy is still in use today, since it is a practical way that can be used by all parties. Ponds must be prepared in numerous phases before they can be used for peatland fish farming. In the future, it is intended that fisheries development for community empowerment and welfare, such as catfish and snakehead fish farming in Indonesia, will be adopted [35, 36].
