Type of capture based fisheries and its related problems faced by the fishermen in Ambon Bay

Abstract

Ambon Bay is one of the centers of economic activity held by the Ambon City community and is vicinity area. The fishing sector is one of the activities found in this area. The kind of fishing activity and its related problem faced by the fishermen of this area is the content of this study. This study was aimed to investigate the kind of fishing gear operated in this area and to identify problems faced by the fishermen in conducting their activity. Data were obtained from 91 fishermen fishing in this area with various types of fishing gear and conducted through interviews and field observation. Data obtained were then analyzed descriptively. Kind of fishing gears found to operate in Ambon Bay consists of gill net, hand line, beach seine, bottom longline, lift net, purse seine, and trap net. The common problem face by the fishermen is plenty of floating debris, high turbidity caused by flooding. All these problems hampering the fishing activity that leads to a decline in fish production and fishermen’s income. Another problem that occurs is the increase of fishing gear operated in the area with relatively a small fishing area apart from fish resources that already decrease compared to 15 – 20 years before. From field observation and interviews with the local fisher, it was found that fish production has declined up to 50%.

Impact of Marine Debris to Fishing Operation at Ambon Bay

“…The coastal line is a heap of trash going to the sea through rivers in the rainy season, besides other trash that is directly thrown into the sea. Ambon Bay is so far considered as fishing ground with eight rivers makes more possible that the trash by inhabitants at upper land are taken through river and go into the bay mostly at rainy season causing pile up of the trash at coastal area [25,26]. Half of the trash is embedded; the rest is taken by the current and waved into the sea then scattered back to coastal land around the bay.…”

“…Various obstacles caused by trash in fishing operations are really impacting production and revenue for gill net fishermen. [12].…”