Sustainable utilization strategy on ornamental reef fish resources in Weh Island, Aceh,

Abstract

The ornamental reef fishery of Weh Island began in 1997, yet no assessment of reef fish resources, potential species for trade and their sustainable yields has been made. This study assesses the sustainable catch quota of potential ornamental reef fish species and provides optimum utilization strategies based on sustainable catch quotas, price, and effort capacity. Seventy-seven ornamental reef fish species were identified from underwater visual census at 20 sites in the marine waters of Weh Island. Catch and effort data were recorded for 12 months in 2010. Nineteen species of ornamental fish were landed by local fishers, and 83% of the total catch was comprised of the powder blue tang (Acanthurus leucosternon). The maximum sustainable yield (MSY) of ornamental fish species was assessed using a surplus production model, with an annual catch quota set at 80% of MSY. From catch data, we found that the harvest level of powder blue tang in 2010 exceeded its annual catch quota (103.5%), while the other 18 species were still under harvested. Optimization results using the Linear Programming suggested that increasing catch of three species, Acanthurus tenneti, Paracanthurus hepatus, and Pomacanthus imperator was required to achieve maximum economic yield. Based on sustainable catch quotas and financial analyses we conclude that the ornamental reef fishery of Weh Island can be managed sustainably and achieve positive ecological and economic outcomes.

Pemanfaatan sumberdaya ikan hias laut di Pulau Weh telah berlangsung sejak tahun 1997. Pada tahun 2010 terdapat dua puluh dua (22) orang nelayan ikan hias aktif yang berdomisili di Desa Beurawang, Pulau Weh. Pulau Weh memiliki potensi yang besar untuk pengembangan kegiatan pemanfaatan sumberdaya ikan karang untuk pasar ikan hias. Aktivitas pemanfaatan ikan hias laut di P. Weh masih mengalami beberapa permasalahan, terutama dalam hal pola pemanfaatan yang cenderung hanya menangkap satu spesies ikan karang yaitu jenis botana biru (Acanthurus leucosternon). Saat ini belum diketahui adanya kajian mengenai model pemanfaatan yang optimum untuk perikanan ikan hias di Pulau Weh. Berdasarkan kondisi tersebut, maka penelitian ini dilaksanakan dengan tujuan untuk: (i) mengkaji potensi sumberdaya ikan hias laut di Pulau Weh; (ii) mengkaji pola pemanfaatan sumberdaya ikan hias laut di Pulau Weh; (iii) mengestimasi suatu pola pemanfaatan ikan hias laut yang optimum dan lestari dengan mempertimbangkan perspektif keberlanjutan sumberdaya ikan dan ekonomi yang didasarkan atas kuota tangkapan lestari, harga ikan, kapasitas upaya penangkapan, dan penanganan; serta (iv) merumuskan suatu strategi prioritas untuk pengembangan pemanfaatan sumberdaya ikan hias laut di Pulau Weh.