Size, spatial distribution and potential of anchovy in Inner Ambon Bay

Abstract

Inner Ambon Bay is a small pelagic fish fishing ground, especially anchovy. Anchovy plays important role in the skipjack fishery as live bait in Ambon city. Nevertheless, research for its resource management is rarely done. The aim of the research is to obtain information of population size, spatial distribution of densities and Maximum Sustainable Yield of anchovy. Densities data of fish were obtained using hydro acoustics device at six parallel transect lines and one cross parallel transect line in October 2015. Three fish species caught by beach seine, comprise Encrasicholina heteroloba (96.3%), Sardinella spp.(2.8%) and Rastrelliger spp.(0.9%). Mean value of total length of E. heteroloba was 5.30 cm shorter than the length of same fish noted in October 2005 was 5.48cm. Spatial distribution of anchovy densities shows that low density (0-2 fish/m2) occupy wider space, evenly distributed in north, east, and south of the bay. The fish density of 2-4 fish/m2 were in small groups occupy smaller space distributed in the middle to west of the bay. The density 4–6 fish/m2 to high density 28–30 fish/m2 occupy only very small space in the west near bay mouth. Maximum sustainable yield of anchovy in inner Ambon Bay was estimated 6.9±4.3 tons.