Side Catch (Bycatch) Purse Seine Fishing Gear At The North Sumatra Belawan Ocean Fisheries Port

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Introduction

Purse seine is an active fishing gear that is widely used in the fisheries industry. Despite its effectiveness, some of these fishing gear still use small net sizes, allowing significant bycatch (bycatch) to occur. Bycatch refers to the catching of non-target species, which can have a significant impact on marine ecosystems. This article discusses research conducted to compare the composition of the main catch and bycatch, as well as showing the abundance of bycatch species on purse seine fishing gear in the Belawan Ocean Fisheries Port.

Background

Purse seine fishing gear is a type of fishing gear that uses a large net to encircle a school of fish. The net is then closed by pulling on a rope, trapping the fish inside. While purse seine fishing gear is effective, it can also result in significant bycatch. Bycatch can include a wide range of species, from small fish to marine mammals and even seabirds. The impact of bycatch on marine ecosystems can be significant, and it is essential to understand the extent of bycatch in order to develop effective management strategies.

Methodology

This study used a survey and direct interview method to identify and calculate the types of species caught by purse seine fishing gear. The data was collected from fishermen and fishing gear operators in the Belawan Ocean Fisheries Port. The data was then analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis to identify the main catch and bycatch species.

Results

The results of this study showed that there were a total of 30 caught species, with the main catch dominating with a percentage of 99.57% of one species. The abundance of bycatch was only from 0.00064% to 0.06042% of 29 other species. The species most commonly found in bycatch was Photopectoralis sp., with a percentage of 0.06487%, followed by Sphyraena Forsteri with 0.06042%, and ATule Mate with 0.05088%.

Discussion

The results of this study show that although the main catch is very dominating, the presence of bycatch cannot be ignored. Low bycatch can indicate that the net used has better selectivity, but the existence of bycatch species also indicates that there is a potential impact on biodiversity in marine ecosystems. Species that are trapped accidentally can be an indicator of ecosystem health, as it shows complex interactions between various species in the food chain.

One of the most common species found in bycatch is Photopectoralis sp., which is part of a small fish family. The high number of these species can be an alarm for fisheries resource managers, as it suggests that this species may have an important role in ecosystems, both as predators and prey. In other words, the existence and number of bycatch species can provide valuable information about the biological and ecological conditions of the catchment area.

Conclusion

The results of this study are important in forming sustainable fisheries policies. Cooperation is needed between the government, fishermen, and related parties to ensure that the exploitation of marine resources is not only economically profitable, but also preserves the biodiversity and health of marine ecosystems. Therefore, it is essential to implement a better management strategy so that the main catch continues while minimizing the negative impacts on bycatch species. This includes the use of better technology in making nets, determining the size of the more suitable net size, and the development of environmentally friendly capture methods.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

  1. Use of better technology in making nets: The use of better technology in making nets can help to reduce bycatch and improve the selectivity of the net.
  2. Determining the size of the more suitable net size: Determining the size of the more suitable net size can help to reduce bycatch and improve the efficiency of the fishing gear.
  3. Development of environmentally friendly capture methods: The development of environmentally friendly capture methods can help to reduce bycatch and improve the sustainability of fisheries.
  4. Cooperation between the government, fishermen, and related parties: Cooperation between the government, fishermen, and related parties is essential to ensure that the exploitation of marine resources is not only economically profitable, but also preserves the biodiversity and health of marine ecosystems.

Future Research Directions

This study provides a foundation for future research on bycatch and its impact on marine ecosystems. Future research should focus on:

  1. Investigating the impact of bycatch on marine ecosystems: Further research is needed to understand the impact of bycatch on marine ecosystems and to develop effective management strategies.
  2. Developing more effective bycatch reduction technologies: The development of more effective bycatch reduction technologies is essential to reduce bycatch and improve the sustainability of fisheries.
  3. Improving the selectivity of fishing gear: Improving the selectivity of fishing gear is essential to reduce bycatch and improve the efficiency of the fishing gear.

Q: What is bycatch?

A: Bycatch refers to the catching of non-target species, which can include a wide range of species, from small fish to marine mammals and even seabirds.

Q: What is purse seine fishing gear?

A: Purse seine fishing gear is a type of fishing gear that uses a large net to encircle a school of fish. The net is then closed by pulling on a rope, trapping the fish inside.

Q: What is the main catch and bycatch?

A: The main catch refers to the species that are targeted by the fishermen, while bycatch refers to the species that are caught accidentally.

Q: What are the common species found in bycatch?

A: The common species found in bycatch include Photopectoralis sp., Sphyraena Forsteri, and ATule Mate.

Q: What is the impact of bycatch on marine ecosystems?

A: Bycatch can have a significant impact on marine ecosystems, including the depletion of target species, the disruption of food chains, and the loss of biodiversity.

Q: What are the recommendations for reducing bycatch?

A: The recommendations for reducing bycatch include:

  1. Use of better technology in making nets: The use of better technology in making nets can help to reduce bycatch and improve the selectivity of the net.
  2. Determining the size of the more suitable net size: Determining the size of the more suitable net size can help to reduce bycatch and improve the efficiency of the fishing gear.
  3. Development of environmentally friendly capture methods: The development of environmentally friendly capture methods can help to reduce bycatch and improve the sustainability of fisheries.
  4. Cooperation between the government, fishermen, and related parties: Cooperation between the government, fishermen, and related parties is essential to ensure that the exploitation of marine resources is not only economically profitable, but also preserves the biodiversity and health of marine ecosystems.

Q: What are the future research directions for bycatch?

A: The future research directions for bycatch include:

  1. Investigating the impact of bycatch on marine ecosystems: Further research is needed to understand the impact of bycatch on marine ecosystems and to develop effective management strategies.
  2. Developing more effective bycatch reduction technologies: The development of more effective bycatch reduction technologies is essential to reduce bycatch and improve the sustainability of fisheries.
  3. Improving the selectivity of fishing gear: Improving the selectivity of fishing gear is essential to reduce bycatch and improve the efficiency of the fishing gear.

Q: What are the benefits of reducing bycatch?

A: The benefits of reducing bycatch include:

  1. Improved sustainability of fisheries: Reducing bycatch can help to improve the sustainability of fisheries and ensure that marine resources are not depleted.
  2. Preservation of biodiversity: Reducing bycatch can help to preserve biodiversity and maintain the health of marine ecosystems.
  3. Improved economic benefits: Reducing bycatch can help to improve economic benefits for fishermen and the fishing industry as a whole.

Q: What are the challenges of reducing bycatch?

A: The challenges of reducing bycatch include:

  1. Technical challenges: Developing effective bycatch reduction technologies can be a technical challenge.
  2. Economic challenges: Implementing bycatch reduction measures can be economically challenging for fishermen and the fishing industry.
  3. Social challenges: Changing fishing practices and implementing bycatch reduction measures can be socially challenging for fishermen and their communities.

Q: What are the next steps for reducing bycatch?

A: The next steps for reducing bycatch include:

  1. Implementing bycatch reduction measures: Implementing bycatch reduction measures, such as using better technology in making nets and determining the size of the more suitable net size.
  2. Developing more effective bycatch reduction technologies: Developing more effective bycatch reduction technologies, such as using sensors and cameras to detect bycatch.
  3. Improving the selectivity of fishing gear: Improving the selectivity of fishing gear, such as using nets with smaller mesh sizes.

By addressing these challenges and implementing effective bycatch reduction measures, we can reduce bycatch and improve the sustainability of fisheries.