A snapshot on the risk indicators of fisher’s income and the fish size: Mini purse seine fishery in Bitung waters

A high reliance on fishermen in the MPS fishery could threaten their economic sustainability. Therefore, a snapshot of the fisher’s income can be useful as an indicator to understand the feasibility of the fishery. This study aimed to investigate the risk indicators of fishers’ income and fish size in the MPS fishery in the southern waters of Bitung. This study was conducted in October 2024 using 30 samples of MPS fishing trips and 12 units of 10 to 28 GT MPS vessels. This study applied a risk indicator, ranging from 0 to 3, based on an ecosystem-based fisheries approach. The results showed that The dominant target species of MPS were mackerel scad ( Decapterus spp.), Indian mackerel ( Rastrelliger kanagurta ), and bigeye scad ( Selar crumenopthalmus ), with catch per unit effort (CPUE) of 146 kg vessel - 1 trip - 1, 115 kg vessel - 1 trip - 1 and 31 kg vessel - 1 trip - 1, respectively. The monthly income of fishermen is still less than the regional minimum wage, with a risk indicator of 2.67 (red zone). The risk indicator for fish size was 1.40, which was in the yellow zone. The risk indicators of fishermen’s income, which are currently in the red zone, should be reduced to enhance their economic sustainability.