Although the natural marine and inland waters of the Kalimantan provinces of Indonesia still abound with fish and other aquatic resources, the initiation of aquaculture in these provinces is a farsighted move to develop this industry which is bound to be an answer to future needs. One such project has been started in Mengacek, Mempawah Subdistrict, Pontianak Regency, West Kalimantan.
Layout and construction. The site for this project is a young mangrove swamp with sparse vegetation along the coast. Two ponds, side by side, have been built of about 0.5 ha each (total area: 1 ha) with each pond provided with its own wooden water control gate. There is space for expansion in the surrounding swamp. The dikes are big and high with good slope of about 1:1. However seepage was noted along the dikes and also the gates. This shows that in the construction of the dikes no puddle trench may have been made and clearing the dike path of organic matter and roots may not have been strictly followed. It is possible that the soil was not also thoroughly compacted and cleared of organic matter during construction.
The high tides in the place hardly waters the inside of the ponds showing that the site is quite elevated. Whatever water that can be accumulated during the higher high tides seep out during the low tides leaving water only along the excavated marginal canals and a specially constructed deeper acclimatization depression inside each compartment.
It is suggested to expand the project to three hectares or three times its present size. This size unit could better demonstrate a larger and more viable economic unit. This modification can be executed with less expense by utilizing the finished ponds as part of the future layout and building a main gate and water supply canal to supply the individual compartments. As each of the pond compartments will have its own secondary gate along this canal there will be independent water control to each pond. (Figure 6 b).
Water control gates. It is suggested that the main gate should be made of reinforced concrete if possible. The details of structure for such a gate are given in this report (ANNEX 10 Figure 10 a). If this can be done, wooden gates can be made for both the main and secondary gates. This should be properly constructed and installed. The details of construction and installation such a gate is illustrated (Figures 6 c and d).
FIGURE 6 a
Present Layout of Government
Shrimp Ponds
Mempawah, West Kalimantan
FIGURE 6 b
Suggested Revision of Layout of Mempawah Shrimp Experimental Ponds
FIGURE 6 c
WOODEN GATE CONSTRUCTION
FIGURE 6 d
WOODEN GATE CONSTRUCTION PREFERABLY BOLEDEN-TREATED WOOD AND COPPER OR GALVANIZED IRON NAILS
