AACL Bioflux, vol: 12,6 (2019)
Threat of small scale capture fisheries on the fish biodiversity in seagrass beds of bontang, east kalimantan, indonesia
Irawan A., Supriharyono, Hutabarat J., Ambariyanto A.
Abstract
Small-scale fishing (SSF) activities have a significant role in supporting the fishermen along Indonesian coasts and, in particular, from the coastal areas of Bontang, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The availability of fishing trap nets (local name belat) in the coastal city of Bontang has reached 800 pieces. The aim of this study is to reveal threats affecting fish biodiversity in seagrass beds because of the use of trap nets. This study was conducted from December 2016 to November 2017. The data in this study was collected from 6 sampling stations (ST). These 6 seagrass observation stations were spread from the North to the South area of Bontang coastal waters. ST1, ST3 and ST5 were seagrasses connected to coral reefs, while ST2, ST4 and ST6 were seagrasses connected with mangroves. Observations on seagrass density along with observations regarding fish, crustaceans and molluscs collected using trap nets were conducted in each station. The results showed that there were 5 species of seagrass (Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, Halophila minor, Cymodocea ratundata and Halodule pinifolia). In addition, the use of trap nets negatively affected 79 fish species in seagrass beds. Furthermore, the loss of seagrass in Bontang coastal areas is estimated at around 5.17 ha. In conclusion, trap nets have damaged marine biodiversity, especially fish from seagrass beds. © 2019, BIOFLUX SRL. All rights reserved.
Keyword: Mangrove; Marine biota; Seagrass; Trap net gear