Improving the perception of Christmas Island Frigatebirds by local fishermen on Pulau Untung Jawa, Jakarta, using the Penyuluhan method

Agung Sedayu (Program Studi Biologi FMIPA Universitas negeri Jakarta, Gd. Hasjim Asjarie lt 9, Kampus A UNJ, Jl. Rawamangun Muka, Jakarta Timur)
Ani Mariani (Biology Education Programme, Faculty of Mathematics and Sciences, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Gd. Hasjim Asjarie lt. 5, Jl. Rawamangun Muka, Jakarta Timur 13220)
Mieke Miarsyah (Biology Education Programme, Faculty of Mathematics and Sciences, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Gd. Hasjim Asjarie lt. 5, Jl. Rawamangun Muka, Jakarta Timur 13220)

KUKILA
Vol. 23 (2020)

Human-wildlife conflict is a major threat to many declining wildlife species worldwide. The roosting population of the endangered Christmas Island Frigatebird at Pulau Rambut, Teluk Jakarta, is prone to entanglement in fishing lines and nets used by local fishermen for catching fish. We conducted interviews with local fishermen during May-July 2018 in order to quantify their perception of the frigatebird. Subsequently we conducted an educational program about frigatebirds by means of penyuluhan, an Indonesian style, culturally-sensitive, informal discussion technique. There was significantly greater positive perception of Frigatebirds in the group attending a series of informative penyuluhan meetings compared to the control group. As Indonesia has a strong oral tradition, we believe that this method offers potential benefits as a tool to improve conservation outcomes for threatened species.