The fishery potential in Lamongan seems to never run out. After the potential for free-falling crabs, Lamongan fishermen can still look at other sectors such as grouper cultivation, which turns out to be able to be produced in abundance with a very large income value. In the Pantura area, especially in Brondong District, it turns out that there are grouper villages, precisely in Labuhan Village, Brengkok Village, and Lohgung Village. This grouper is a promising commodity, in addition to capturing fisheries production and aquaculture in Lamongan. Lamongan has been rich in various cultivation centers such as milkfish, mujahir, tombro, as well as vanamei shrimp spread over 7 sub-districts. Because the production is abundant and the area is only in the Pantura Brondong, the two villages are known as Kampung Kerapu (Grouper Village). Data from the Lamongan District Fisheries Service shows that cultivation in Grouper Village has been recorded in the Decree of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Number 16 of 2022 concerning Aquaculture Villages.
The area of this grouper pond is about 250.75 hectares. The cultivators are also able to earn up to IDR 110.723 billion in 2021, with local and export market shares. The Labuhan Grouper Village caught the attention of the Regent of Lamongan, Yuhronur Efendi. He appreciated the extraordinary potential of the Labuhan Grouper Village. "By looking at the production carried out, and I know what is being harvested myself, then the production capacity, delivery capacity, and marketing distribution, this is already extraordinary. This is a very, very capable potential," said Yuhronur when he visited Grouper Village, Wednesday (10/26/2022). In addition to reviewing the management and cultivation of groupers, Yuhronur also wants to listen to the aspirations of farmers. His visit to Kampung Grouper was also to answer the worries of fish farming pond farmers in Labuhan regarding the threat of land conversion from cultivation to industry. "Indeed, this area is under spatial and regional planning, so it is used for cultivation. So we will maintain it according to regional regulations. The community can maximize the existing potential," said Yuhronur. He also encouraged the farmers to continue to increase cooperation with various lines, including the academic community, to develop the quality of production and to maintain export opportunities to more countries. "I see that the land in Labuhan is very productive and has the potential for cultivating various types of fish, including salt production. The community must continue to be encouraged so that their production results are even better," he added. Meanwhile, the Head of the Lamongan District Fisheries Service, Yuli Wahyuono, added that the production volume of grouper in Lamongan increases every year. From 950.7 tons in 2019 to 1,350.3 tons in 2021. "The amount of production continues to increase, and the production value will also increase," said Yuli. One of the representatives of the Fish Cultivator Alliance, Soekarno, said that Labuhan residents benefited greatly from grouper cultivation. Although there are other cultivations such as salt, shrimp, and milkfish, grouper cultivation is very promising and generates greater income. Although through a third hand, Labuhan Grouper has reached the export market to Hong Kong and the United States. Meanwhile, domestic markets such as Jakarta, Semarang, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya are still not left behind. He added that the Labuhan Grouper Village had been a reference for studies from various regions, such as Padang Regency, to Brunei Darussalam. "We benefit greatly from grouper cultivation. We hope that Grouper Village is protected so that it can produce even more. Do not let the land be eroded by the establishment of the industry," he concluded.
