Fishing season and participatory mapping of the fishing ground of target fish in Depapre Bay, Jayapura Regency, Papua Indonesia

Abstract

Fisheries resources, especially small-scale fisheries in the Depapre Bay, Jayapura Regency, which is quite potential, have not been utilized optimally. However, the damage to supporting ecosystems has begun to occur. The aims of this study were to inventory the target fish resources, study the pattern of the fishing season, and determine the fishing ground area in the Depapre Bay in a participatory manner. The method approach used in this study is a semi-structured study to document and evaluate small-scale fisheries management systems in a participatory manner with several data collection techniques, namely with focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and recording and documentation. There are around 14 target fish families in the Depapre Bay that have been identified, which are grouped into pelagic fish and demersal fish. The pelagic fish group of the Scrombidae family has a fishing season of around May-November, namely in the east to the west season with the fishing ground outside the bay, while the demersal fish group generally has a fishing season of around May-February or occurs from the beginning to the end of the western season with the fishing ground in the bay and around Tanjung Tanah Merah, which is caused by the physiographical and oceanographical factors of the Depapre Bay. Considering the above conditions, it is necessary to pay attention to stakeholders, especially the local government. In addition to the community empowerment to improve technology, the limited reach of fishermen should also be taken into consideration. Conservation zoning should be based on the fishing ground areas by paying attention to the existing the Tiaitiki local wisdom system.