Comparison of handline tuna catches in Indian Ocean and Banda Sea waters

Center for Fisheries Research, Jalan Pasir Putih II Ancol Timur Jakarta Utara, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: igna.prpt@gmail.com

Abstract

There are two essential landing sites for handline tuna in Indonesia: Palabuhanratu (in the Indian Ocean) and Kendari (in the Banda Sea). This paper analyzes handline catches from the Indian Ocean and Banda Sea waters as the main fishing ground. The catch composition of the handline tuna landed in Kendari is more varied than Palabuhanratu. Several species commonly caught are yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) as a target species, and some billfish species as bycatch. Mean CPUE for handline tuna landed in Palabuhanratu is lower than Kendari. A significant difference is based on the monthly mean CPUE variation between Palabuhanratu and Kendari landing sites (p < 0.001). Handline catches in Palabuhanratu had a more comprehensive range of length sizes than Kendari, using a two-sample K-S test showed significant differences (p < 0.001). The fish size landed in Kendari is relatively smaller than Palabuhanratu. The average length of fish caught by handline is smaller than the length at first maturity (Lm) value in both landing sites. The use of large size hook for hand lines is recommended for catching tunas in this area.