The difference of Type and Water Depth of Attractor Setting on Squid Egg Attachment

Abstract

Squid represent marine resources that involves high economic value. Most intensive squid fishing season occurred at the spawning season where in this season most of squid has matured gonad. This activity make degradate squid amount in nature. Marine culture technology like breeding or hatchery need to balance squid fishing activity and to enhance stock of squid in nature. The hatchery needs squid egg supplied continuously. Attractor can be used to collect squid egg from nature. The squid egg collecting activity from nature can become additional activity or alternative job for fisherman. Based on this case, research was conducted on types and water depth differences of attractor setting on squid egg attachment. The research has been conducted in Mutiara Bay, Alor Regency, NTT Province for four months from 17 August 2005 to 18 December 2005. Aim of this research was to find out the effect of type and water depth differences of attractor setting on squid egg attachment and to determine what type and depth of attractor setting that suitable for squid lays their egg. Attractor was made from local materials like bamboo and palm tree fiber. The treatment design of this research used two types of attractors and three levels of water depth. The type of attractors were covered by goony sack and uncovered by goony sack. Setting difference of attractors were placed in surface (0-1 m), middle (2-3 m) and bottom (4-5 m) of coastal waters. Data was analysed by average test (t-test). The result of this research show that squids attach their eggs on the covered attractor by goony sack that placed in the bottom of coastal waters at 4 -5 m. The eggs hatched in 28 to 30 days.