The utilization and development strategy of demersal fisheries in Sibolga, North Sumatera Province

Abstract

Demersal fish spend most of their life cycle in deeper sea column down to sea bottom. There were two main fishing gears that employed for demersal fishing in Sibolga namely trap and handline. The objectives of this study are to estimate utilization level of demersal fish resource, to identify the demersal fish size caught by traps and hand lines, to determine growth pattern of fish caught by traps and hand lines and to determine strategy for sustainable management of demersal fisheries in the study area. This study was conducted in Sibolga from December 2011 to May 2012 using survey method. Data were analyzed by means of surplus production model, length-weight relationships, and SWOT (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats) to formulate strategies for sustainable demersal fisheries management in Sibolga. There were four dominant and most valuable economic demersal spesies caught in Sibolga: red snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus), white snapper (Lates calcarifer), sunu grouper (Plectropormus leopardus), and trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus). The result showed that catch level of red snapper had reached the optimum sustainable yield. Meanwhile the catch level of white snappers, grouper and trevally were still below their optimum sustainable yield. Traps and hand lines were considerably sustainable fishing gears due to the majority of catches have reached their length at first maturity. SWOT analysis was formulated for demersal fisheries development strategies in Sibolga. The analysis showed that the development should be focused on export markets, minimizing IUU fishing, laboratory quality assurance and enhancing cooperation among stakeholders.