Original Title:
Productivity and Catch Composition of the Handline Fishing Fleet at Palabuhanratu Nusantara Fishing Port, Sukabumi, Indonesia
SDGs Connection:
- Primary SDG: SDG 14 – Life Below Water
Secondary SDGs: SDG 2 – Zero Hunger; SDG 13 – Climate Action
Short Narrative Explanation:
This study investigates the productivity and species composition of small-scale handline fishing fleets operating from Palabuhanratu Nusantara Fishing Port in Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia. Handline fishing, carried out on boats under 5 GT with outboard motors, is one of the most common fishing methods used by local communities. Despite its small scale, handline fishing plays a significant role in local food security and livelihoods.
Using five years of data (2019–2023) from the Central Fisheries Statistics Agency and logbooks, the research team analyzed both the volume of catches and catch per unit effort (CPUE) as indicators of productivity. The study revealed that the handline fleet landed 15 species, with ribbonfish (Trichiurus lepturus) dominating the catch at 68.1% of total landings.
Seasonal analysis showed peak productivity in October (100.6 ± 18.8 kg/trip) during the transition from the east to west monsoon, likely driven by nutrient upwelling and fish migration. Conversely, the lowest productivity occurred in February (24.3 ± 8.9 kg/trip), at the end of the west season. Annual data showed a concerning trend: a 4.26% yearly decline in productivity, raising alarms about resource sustainability.
The decline is attributed to overfishing, habitat degradation, pollution, and climate-driven changes in fish distribution. These findings highlight the need for improved small-scale fisheries management, better catch reporting, and ecosystem-based policies to protect both fish populations and the communities that depend on them. The study provides crucial baseline data for Indonesia’s multi-gear, multi-species fisheries management framework.
Credits:
This study was led by Faqih Baihaqi and Shafira Bilqis Annida from Universitas Padjadjaran, with contributions from Gilar Budi Pratama, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran.
Hashtags:
#HandlineFishing #SmallScaleFisheries #SDG14 #MarineSustainability #Palabuhanratu #Ribbonfish