Social-Ecological System of Seagrass and Small-Scale Fisheries Connectivity in Malang Rapat and Berakit Villages, Bintan District, Riau Islands

Abstract

<jats:p>Seagrass ecosystem has important roles in ecological and social factors to support fisherman income. The purpose of this research was to map the social-ecological system connectivity of seagrass with small-scale fisheries with networks perspective, to identify social-ecological connectivity of seagrass with fisheries resource availability approaches in small-scale fisheries, and to estimate the benefits of fish resources relation to seagrass ecosystem in Malang Rapat and Berakit vilages. Social-ecological system connectivity of seagrass was proven by the spatial distribution of fishing areas, networks map markets, and dynamics of small-scale fisheries catches in the study site. Social-ecocoligal connectivity of seagrass was also proven by fish catches dominated by Siganidae, Scaridae, Lethrinidae, and Lutjanidae families. The fishermen income was supported by seagrass ecosystem connectivity which contributed revenue from fish catches totally Rp 202,124,00/day in Malang Rapat village and Rp. 193,151,00/day in Berakit village. Other benefit of seagrass ecosystem located nearby the beach was that the fishermen can have an easy access or less fuel for fishing operation.Keywords: seagrass ecosystem, network map, connectivity, small-scale fisheries, social-ecological system, Riau islands</jats:p>

Pressures and Status of Seagrass Ecosystem in the Coastal Areas of North Bintan, Indonesia

“…Averagely, the economic value of seagrass for recreational fishing is estimated at around IDR 351,179.56 ha-1 year-1 [19]. Seagrass ecosystem areas have supported the fisherman income from fish catch, with total revenue IDR 202,124 day-1 or 12 kg day-1 in Malang Rapat Village and IDR 193,151 day-1 or 13.8 kg day-1 in Berakit village [2]. However, there are many pressures that threaten the existence of seagrass ecosystem, i.e.…”

“…Understanding of the relations between sea grass ecosystem as ecological systems and social system is developing. Sea grass ecosystem provide significant number of function and benefit for human and nature (multiple ecosystem services) as a coupled social-ecological system (SES), including recreational fishing [19], tourism [10], fisheries [2], [20], food security [3], [8], carbon storage and climate change mitigation [15], habitat function [16], conservation function, especially for dugongs (Dugong dugon) as endangered species [8], etc.…”

“…coastal development, land reclamation, deforestation, seaweed farming, fishing, garbage dumping, oil pollution, run-off, marine culture and public awareness [18] [13], whereas in some areas, the coastal communities and traditional fisherman are actual dependent on the existence of sea grass ecosystems [18], [19], [2], [17], [7]. The destruction of the sea grass ecosystem will change the SES of coastal areas, ecological health, habitat function and human well-being [2], [19], [20], [3], [16], [8], [6]. Moreover, some other pressures that threaten the sea grass are tourism, dredging, boating activities and sedimentation [10], [9], [12].…”

The Status of Seagrass Health: Supporting Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in Misool Marine Protected Area, Raja Ampat, Indonesia

“…While seagrass ecosystems play the same role and function as coral reefs and mangrove ecosystems. It is not yet been well understood how According to Arkham et al (2015), seagrass bed is a part of ecosystem that provides services to give benefits to organisms that live with it and the humans around it. Seagrasses need to receive the same consideration and protections as coral reefs and mangroves for their important role in coastal ecosystems.…”