Development Lamp of Light Emitting Diode (LED) as Artificial Lighting on Petepete Liftnet in South Sulawesi.

Abstract

Development of lights-equipped fishing gears in Indonesia has been growing rapidly and even more significant in recent years. The use of boat liftnet as fishing gears, which applying light lamps to attract fish has increased from 12,520 units in 2008 to 13,120 units in 2010, statistically. This growth have been increasing the percentage of boat liftnet operation in South Sulawesi within the period of 2011-2012 for 5.95%. This statistic data showed the amount of energy used to produce light during the operation liftnet, not including lights operated on purse seiner which also uses light in its operations. In Barru District, the fishing technique with boat liftnet (‘bagan petepete’ is the local name) still use the mercury lamps to attract the fish. This lights has been considered unfriendly environmental criteria due to the fact that it relatively required a huge amount of energy (electricity), short lifetime, and contains heavy metal in its raw material. Thus, an alternative technology to reduce consumption of electricity energy for boat liftnet fisheries is urgently needed. One of alternative solution is to applying an energy-saving, longer lifetime, lower heat radiation and shock resistance type of light lamps, which is called Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology. This LED technology is still developing for further used and is expected to be used widely, including fishing gears technology. The main objective of this research is to: (1) analyze the current system of petepete boat liftnet fisheries in Barru district; (2) analyze the feasibility of LED lamps for boat liftnet petepete fisheris in Barru district; and (3) develop a grand strategy in applying LED lamps technology to petepete liftnet fisheries in South Sulawesi waters. Fishing operation of the petepete liftnet was carried out in Barru district waters, as part of Makassar Strait, South Sulawesi. Two units of boat liftnet petepete was operated at 4o22'48.7" to 4°33'47.8" South and 119° 25'05.0" to 119°33'42.7" East. Both liftnet were operated at 25-50 meters water depth with distance of 3-11.5 nautical mile from the Barru coastal lines. There were 50 trips of fishing conducted from October to September 2012 and April to May 2013 during this study. There were some different operating techniques between petepete liftnet compared to other bigger boat liftnet (e.g. “Bagan Rambo” the local name) as following. First, the setting in petepete boat lifnet was conducted before the external lights were dimmed, while the bagan Rambo is contrary technique.. Second, the bagan rambo cannot move individually to find shelter during the bad weather condition or simply to find new fishing ground when the catch of previous hauling is not satisfactory. The petepete liftnet was equipped with 20 units LED and each unit has a 80-watt and able to penetrate into 15 meters water depth with 5 lux of intensities. Both lamps have similar result of fish caught and no protected or endangered biota being caught during this study. Although the fishing gear equipped with mercury lamps v resulted more caught then LED, however it was economically not significantly different. The Return Cost Ratio (R/C Ratio) was 1.26, meaning that for each one Rupiah spending, resulting in products that worth IDR 1.26. The Return of Investment (ROI) value was 39.71 which indicated that for every investment of IDR100 will return back profit of IDR 39.71. The indicator of Payback Period (PP) was 2.52, mean that the capital being invested can be fully paid back in 2.52 years. Overall the use of LED lamp for petepete liftnet was considered environmental friendly. Sustainability of the use of the petepete liftnet was assessed as “sustained” fishing since all sustainability criteria has been fulfilled. LED lamp is evaluate feasible in term of fishing technic, economy, sustainability, and environment parameters as fish attracting device for liftnet petepete fisheries. Technically it was more efficient than mercury lamp of 48% and 26% financially. The parameter of sustainability and environmental friendly were indicated a sustainability criteria with score of 24 and 15, respectively. LED lamp was feasible and fulfill all the criteria to apply for liftnet petepete fisheries. In order to introduces and disseminate this LED technology to fishermen some programs need to be done previously, such as socialization to fishermen, related government agencies, NGOs (Non-Government Organizations), particularly about technical aspect of LED lamp as supporting equipment for liftnet fishing gear of petepete. It was also suggested that a program to apply LED lamp in liftnet boat should be include a training program to fishermen on its proper application. Also a support system should be developed to help fishermen to easily access the provision of LED lamps and its spare parts through a cooperative management system and available funding facility and technology support in applying LED lamp to the liftnet boat fisheries.