Purse Seine Selectivity Based on Catch Composition in the Banda Sea (Fish Management Area of Republic Indonesia FMA-RI 714)

Purse seine is the most widely used fishing gear by fishermen in Kendari. The fish caught landed at the Kendari Ocean Fishing Port (PPS) are of several types and sizes, namely Shortfin scad (Decapterus macrosoma), skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), mackerel (Euthynnus affinis), bigeye scad (Selar crumenophthalmus) and others. This is because most ships still use mesh sizes that do not meet the requirements. Therefore, selective fishing gear should be selected to obtain the target of catching fish of suitable types and sizes and to minimize unwanted bycatch. This study is expected to provide information related to the positive impact of purse seine selectivity as a solution to reduce excessive fishing and support sustainable fisheries. The purpose of this study was to identify the composition of fish caught by purse seine, analyze the level of selectivity of purse seine based on the composition of the catch and technical analysis of purse seine selectivity. This study used descriptive analysis with a survey method. Primary data were obtained from surveys, interviews, and documentation. Secondary data were obtained from ship documents and production data at PPS Kendari. Based on the research results, the composition of the fish catch consists of D. macrosoma, K. pelamis, E. affinis, T. albacares, E. bipinnulata), S. crumenophthalmus. D. macrosoma is the main and most dominant fish catch, which is 85%. Bycatch fish are 15%. The percentage of fish from the main catch that are suitable for catch is 25.58%. The level of selectivity of purse seine in Kendari is moderate. This is influenced by several factors such as the mesh size and the composition of the fish catch which contains several types and sizes. To increase the level of selectivity of purse seine, it is hoped that the mesh size will be enlarged, and better regulations will be implemented so that it can support sustainable fisheries.