SELECTIVITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLINESS OF PURSE SEINE FISHING GEAR IN WATERS KUPANG BAY – EAST NUSA TENGGARA

Purse seine is a type of multi-species fishing gear and is classified as an active fishing gear.The very small mesh size can have an impact on the size of fish species, the composition of the type of catch, both main and by-catch and has a low level of selectivity which causes overfishing and will have an impact on reducing the availability of fish resources.This research aims to determine the level of selectivity and environmental friendliness of Purse seine fishing gear operated in Kupang Bay waters.The research uses descriptive methods.The data were analyzed using the Shannon Diversity Index formula to calculate selectivity.The results obtained in November 2023 with a value of H'= 1.67, and in December with a value of H'= 1.24, meaning that the purse seine fishing gear is classified as a fishing gear with a high level of diversity and low selectivity.The environmental friendliness level of purse seine fishing gear was obtained with a score of 26.58, which shows that purse seines in the waters of Kupang Bay are categorized as less environmentally friendly (22.5 < X 31.5).