Potential risks of tuna fishing conducted in Indonesia’s waters and its impact on tuna and shark

Abstract

Bigeye tuna (BET), yellowfin tuna (YFT) and skipjack tuna stocks in the Pacific Ocean, in general, are underfished. However, according to Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) who is mandated to assess the fishing impact on tuna and bycatch, the fishing impact on BET juveniles (including from Indonesia) were identified as high level impact. Productivity-susceptibility analysis (PSA) was used to assess the risk of tuna and sharks. The objectives of this study were to identify the types of tuna fisheries operated in Indonesias water (FMAs 713-715) which harm tuna and sharks species. Result shows that tuna was mainly caught by purse seine, pole and line, and longline. Purse seine fishing has a higher impact than the pole and line and longline fishing. Blue shark, hammerhead shark and silky shark in particular whale shark were at risk due to purse seine fishing, without proper management. Information regarding their niches and seasonal migrating patterns are required for further studies.