A research team from Universitas Padjadjaran conducted a study to help identify the most productive fishing areas in Jatigede Reservoir, West Java, using satellite technology. This reservoir, which spans more than 4,000 hectares, is vital for electricity generation, irrigation, and fisheries. However, local fishers often rely only on experience to choose fishing sites, which limits productivity.
To address this, the researchers analyzed data from Landsat 8 imagery (2021), focusing on two key indicators: surface temperature and chlorophyll-a concentrations, which reflect water fertility and fish food availability. By processing this data with GIS, they mapped potential fishing zones across different months.
Results revealed that surface temperatures ranged from 20°C to 34°C, while chlorophyll-a varied between 0.8 and 2 mg/m³. Productive fishing grounds were detected during March, September, and December (3 zones), and May, July, and August (4 zones), particularly around the Cisitu, Darmaraja, and Wado sub-districts. In contrast, no optimal fishing zones were found in other months due to unfavorable water conditions.
This research shows how combining remote sensing and ecological knowledge can guide fishers to better fishing grounds, improve livelihoods, and support sustainable resource management. Beyond boosting food supply and income for local communities, it contributes to SDG 14 by protecting aquatic ecosystems, SDG 2 by ensuring sustainable food sources, and SDG 15 by promoting balanced land-water interactions.
Credits
Meet the Researchers: This study was led by Heti Herawati and colleagues (Zahidah, M. Candra Wirawan Arief, Lantun Paradhita Dewanti, and Sulastri Prihandini) from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia
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Hashtags
#UnpadResearch #FisheriesInnovation #RemoteSensing #SDG14 #SustainableFisheries #JatigedeReservoir