Eastern Indian Ocean Off Research Articles

The habitat preference of commercial tuna species based on a daily environmental database approach in the tropical region of the Eastern Indian Ocean off Java-Bali waters

This paper explores the habitat characteristics of commercial tuna species based on daily oceanography parameters in the Eastern Indian Ocean Off Java-Bali Waters. Moreover, more research is needed combining the daily spatial distribution of oceanographic variables of surface and sub-surface data to analyse the habitat characteristics of large pelagic fish, including tuna species. In this study, we used five main daily oceanography parameters: sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface chlorophyll (CHLa), sea surface height (SSH), dissolved oxygen at 100m (DO100), the temperature at 100m (temp100) and the combination of the catch of yellowfin (YFT), albacore (ALT) and bigeye (BET) tuna that use long lines. To analyse the relationship between the environmental database and tuna catch, we utilized Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) from univariate variables until the combination of all variables. The result stated that all the variables influence the existence of all tuna species with P-values <0.001. Temperature is the most critical predictor variable, SST is the most vital predictor for BET and YFT tuna, and temp100 is the most critical for ALT. The second most essential variables were DO100 for BET, Temp 100 for YFT, and SSH for ALT. Moreover, BET and YFT prefer to stay at a lower temp100, and ALT tuna remains at a higher temp100. However, all of them avoid an SST higher than 29 °C. Further assessment of the long-term SST trend specific to tuna species is required to fully account for the effects of global warming on the oceans.

Implementation of the Pelagic Hotspot Index in detecting the habitat suitability area for bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the eastern Indian Ocean

Abstract. Istnaeni ZD, Gaol JL, Zainuddin M, Fitrianah D. 2023. Implementation of the Pelagic Hotspot Index in detecting the habitat suitability area for bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the eastern Indian Ocean. Biodiversitas 24: 5044-5056. Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus Lowe, 1839) is a species with a high economic value that can migrate horizontally and vertically over a large area. Although sea temperature has been the main focus of previous findings, other variables can serve as a reasonable proxy. Here we used sea surface chlorophyll-a, sea surface height, subsurface sea salinity, and subsurface temperature to predict the suitable habitat area for bigeye tuna in the Eastern Indian Ocean Off Java. A Generalized Additive Model was performed to analyze the best-fit model evaluated from the p-value and Cumulative Deviance Explained. The suitability index of the selected model was calculated using Pelagic Hotspot Index constructed from multi-spectrum satellite data. The results showed that the high catches were located on the high suitable index value and supported by chlorophyll-a as the most significant factor, followed by sea surface height, temperature, and salinity. This condition was stimulated by the high feeding opportunity, which may relate to the EIO's oceanic front, eddies, and specific current patterns. This study helps identify ecological hotspots, track the migration, and monitor the seasonal closure for bigeye tuna, particularly in EIO.

Impact of the Strong Downwelling (Upwelling) on Small Pelagic Fish Production during the 2016 (2019) Negative (Positive) Indian Ocean Dipole Events in the Eastern Indian Ocean off Java

Although researchers have investigated the impact of Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) phases on human lives, only a few have examined such impacts on fisheries. In this study, we analyzed the influence of negative (positive) IOD phases on chlorophyll a (Chl-a) concentrations as an indicator of phytoplankton biomass and small pelagic fish production in the eastern Indian Ocean (EIO) off Java. We also conducted field surveys in the EIO off Palabuhanratu Bay at the peak (October) and the end (December) of the 2019 positive IOD phase. Our findings show that the Chl-a concentration had a strong and robust association with the 2016 (2019) negative (positive) IOD phases. The negative (positive) anomalous Chl-a concentration in the EIO off Java associated with the negative (positive) IOD phase induced strong downwelling (upwelling), leading to the preponderant decrease (increase) in small pelagic fish production in the EIO off Java.

Distribution of fishing boats and its oceanography characteristic in the eastern Indian Ocean off Sumatera

Understanding fishing boats locations and its oceanographic feature were significantly important. The objectives of this study were to characterize the dissemination of fishing boats and evaluate the characteristic of oceanographic conditions on the fishing boats in the eastern Indian Ocean off Sumatera (EIOS). The data of fishing boats derived vessel monitoring system (VMS) and visible infrared imaging radiometer suite (VIIRS) boat detection (VBD) data were provided by Ministry of Maritime Affairs (MMA). Satellite-based oceanographic data of chlorophyll-a concentration (chl-a), sea-surface temperature (SST), and salinity were obtained from NOAA national centers for environmental information website. The results showed the number of fishing vessel that operated during east monsoon was higher than others monsoon. The results also showed that the spatial dispersion of VBD data was wider than VMS data. Most of the fishing boats appeared in position of 95 °E – 100 °E and 2.30 °S – 2.30 °N. In addition, most of fishing boats detected in oceanographic condition for SST of 29 – 31 °C, chl-a of 0.1 – 0.3 mg/m3, salinity of 32 – 33 psu.

Application of remotely sensed data and maximum entropy model in detecting potential fishing zones of Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in the eastern Indian Ocean off Sumatera

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus obesus) is one of the most important and most caught fish in the eastern Indian Ocean off west Sumatera and has extensive migration. To develop an appropriate prediction model and to understand the contribution of oceanographic parameters in the potential habitat of Yellowfin tuna, remotely sensed data and habitat modeling were used. Daily data of sea-surface temperature (SST), sea-surface salinity (SSS) and sea-surface height (SSH) were downloaded from the marine copernicus website, meanwhile fishing vessel position for Yellowfin tuna were obtained from fishing port Samudera, Bungus, west Sumatera, from January through December 2015. Daily fishing vessel position and environmental parameters were used for maximum entropy model construction. The model predictive performance was then evaluated using a threshold-independent metric, the area under the curve (AUC) metric of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC). Maximum entropy model results (AUC > 0.90) indicated its potential to figure out the spatial distribution of Yellowfin tuna. In general, SST (50.5%) is the most affective variable in the Yellowfin tuna distribution, followed by SSS (37%) and SSH (12.5%). This study showed that integration multi remotely sensed data and a modeling approach provide an innovative way to decide the potential fishing zones of the Yellowfin tuna in the eastern Indian Ocean off west Sumatera.

GIS-based spatio-temporal analysis on Yellow Fin Tuna catch in Eastern Indian Ocean off Sumatera

Spatio-temporal analysis of yellow fin tuna fishing activity could give us new perception and perspective on studying this fisheries resource exploration. This study was carried out in Eastern Indian Ocean off Sumatera. Fishing data were collected between 2014 until 2018 from the hand line fishermen’s daily logbooks accessed from Bungus fishing port. Data were organized into a database and structured on a geographical reference to allow GIS-Based analysis. We performed raster calculator analysis and spatial statistical analysis to understand spatiotemporal distribution behaviour and fishing activity also employed the generalized additive model to understand the habitat preferences. The result of GIS-based analysis shows the dynamics of catch, effort and catch per unit effort distribution patterns, underlining the annual differences of geographical distribution and fishing pattern. The most concentrated fishing activity monitored in 2014 while the more dispersed fishing activity monitored in 2017. The geographic orientation of spatial distribution monitored at range between 72.90 degrees until 176.15 degrees. GIS provide an important and powerful tool to analyse fishing information to help decision makers in the EIO off Sumatera on Tuna management.

Interannual variation of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) hotspots in the eastern Indian Ocean off Java

Remotely derived environmental variables, including sea surface height anomaly (SSHA), sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll-a (chl-a), eddy kinetic energy (EKE), mixed layer data set of argo float (MLD), Niño 3.4 index, and bigeye tuna catch data for the period 1997–2008, were used to analyse ocean climate variability and how they relate to the hotspots of bigeye tuna catch in the eastern Indian Ocean off Java. The empirical orthogonal function (EOF) was performed to obtain a more detailed structure of the spatio-temporal ocean variability in the region. The results showed that the first EOF modes of chl-a, SSHA, and SST accounted for 42.8%, 36.5%, and 27.4% of total variance, respectively, and these corresponded to the interannual signal. The maps of spatial patterns of the first EOF modes of SSHA, SST, and chl-a gave very typical values for cold-water SSHA, low SST, and high chl-a concentration along the southern coast of the Indonesian archipelago; and warm-water SSHA, high SST, and low chl-a concentration in the offshore region to make frontal areas along the latitudinal line around 10–12º S. The EOF analysis further revealed a strong relationship between the El Niño event and favourable oceanographic conditions, resulting in a significant increase in bigeye tuna catch. The average hook rate of 0.71 (0.43) was recorded during El Niño (La Niña). Major hotspots were located away from the confluence region and frontal areas around 11–16° S and 110–118° E and were thus demonstrated as the most favourable oceanographic conditions for bigeye tuna fishing in the eastern Indian Ocean off Java.

Variability of satellite-derived sea surface height anomaly, and its relationship with Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) catch in the Eastern Indian Ocean

We analyzed the variability of sea surface height anomaly (SSHA), and its relationship with Bigeye tuna catch in the eastern Indian Ocean (EIO) off of Java Island (Indonesia). Both time series of SSHA and Bigeye tuna HR show dominant signals corresponding to the annual and inter-annual variability. During the southeast monsoon the wind blows along southern coast of Java and produces coastal upwelling. This causes sea level to drop due to an offshore Ekman transport, and thermocline becomes shallower. During El Niño and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) positive phase, upwelling is more intense and a large cold eddy forms in the EIO off Java. Generally, Bigeye tuna HR tends to increase during upwelling seasons and becomes even higher during El Niño and the positive phase of the IOD. The increased Bigeye tuna HR during the southeast monsoon, El Niño and the IOD positive phase can be attributed to the shallower thermocline depth and the enhancement of biological productivity due to development of eddies and strong upwelling in the EIO. The spatial distribution of SSHA indicates that Bigeye tuna catches are abundant in the frontal regions between cold and warm eddies.

Diurnal cycle of precipitation over the eastern Indian Ocean off Sumatra Island during different phases of Indian Ocean Dipole

AbstractObserved difference in diurnal cycle of precipitation over the eastern Indian Ocean between positive and negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) phases was investigated using a regional model. During the negative IOD phase, prominent precipitation peak was over the land during evening in both observation and model, while precipitation often appeared over the ocean during early morning. In the positive IOD phase, precipitation peak was shifted to the northern area where sea surface temperature was warm. The amount of precipitation in the southern area during the negative phase was more than three times larger than that in the positive phase.

Effects of El Niño–Southern Oscillation events on catches of Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the eastern Indian Ocean off Java

The effects of El Nino–Southern Oscillation events on catches of Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the eastern Indian Ocean (EIO) off Java were evaluated through the use of remotely sensed environmental data (sea-surface-height anomaly [SSHA], sea-surface temperature [SST], and chlorophyll a concentration), and Bigeye Tuna catch data. Analyses were conducted for the period of 1997–2000, which included the 1997–98 El Nino and 1999–2000 La Nina events. The empirical orthogonal function (EOF) was applied to examine oceanographic parameters quantitatively. The relationship of those parameters to variations in catch distribution of Bigeye Tuna was explored with a generalized additive model (GAM). The mean hook rate was 0.67 during El Nino and 0.44 during La Nina, and catches were high where SSHA ranged from –21 to 5 cm, SST ranged from 24°C to 27.5°C, and chlorophyll-a concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 0.16 mg m–3. The EOF analysis confirmed that the 1997–98 El Nino affected oceanographic conditions in the EIO off Java. The GAM results indicated that SST was better than the other environmental factors (SSHA and chlorophyll-a concentration) as an oceanographic predictor of Bigeye Tuna catches in the region. According to the GAM predictions, the highest probabilities (70–80%) for Bigeye Tuna catch in 1997–2000 occurred during oceanographic conditions during the 1997–98 El Nino event.

Reconstructing the thermal structure of the upper ocean: Insights from planktic foraminifera shell chemistry and alkenones in modern sediments of the tropical eastern Indian Ocean

Shell chemistry of planktic foraminifera and the alkenone unsaturation index in 69 surface sediment samples in the tropical eastern Indian Ocean off West and South Indonesia were studied. Results were compared to modern hydrographic data in order to assess how modern environmental conditions are preserved in sedimentary record, and to determine the best possible proxies to reconstruct seasonality, thermal gradient and upper water column characteristics in this part of the world ocean. Our results imply that alkenone‐derived temperatures record annual mean temperatures in the study area. However, this finding might be an artifact due to the temperature limitation of this proxy above 28°C. Combined study of shell stable oxygen isotope and Mg/Ca ratio of planktic foraminifera suggests that Globigerinoides ruber sensu stricto (s.s.), G. ruber sensu lato (s.l.), and G. sacculifer calcify within the mixed‐layer between 20 m and 50 m, whereas Globigerina bulloides records mixed‐layer conditions at ∼50 m depth during boreal summer. Mean calcifications of Pulleniatina obliquiloculata, Neogloboquadrina dutertrei, and Globorotalia tumida occur at the top of the thermocline during boreal summer, at ∼75 m, 75–100 m, and 100 m, respectively. Shell Mg/Ca ratios of all species show a significant correlation with temperature at their apparent calcification depths and validate the application of previously published temperature calibrations, except for G. tumida that requires a regional Mg/Ca‐temperature calibration (Mg/Ca = 0.41 exp (0.068*T)). We show that the difference in Mg/Ca‐temperatures of the mixed‐layer species and the thermocline species, particularly between G. ruber s.s. (or s.l.) and P. obliquiloculata, can be applied to track changes in the upper water column stratification. Our results provide critical tools for reconstructing past changes in the hydrography of the study area and their relation to monsoon, El Niño‐Southern Oscillation, and the Indian Ocean Dipole Mode.

Diurnal Convection Peaks over the Eastern Indian Ocean off Sumatra during Different MJO Phases

The authors investigated diurnal convection peak characteristics over the eastern Indian Ocean off the island of Sumatra during different phases of the Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO). During MJO phases 2 to 3 (P2 and P3) defined by Wheeler and Hendon (2004), prominent diurnal variation in convection was observed by satellites when moderate low-level westerly winds were dominant over the eastern Indian Ocean. The diurnal convection peaks were prominent over the island of Sumatra in the evening, while migrations of the convection toward the Indian Ocean were observed in the early morning. By using the Global Positioning System around the western region offshore of Sumatra, a significant reduction in water vapor was observed from evening until midnight, compensating for the upward motion over the island. During midnight to early morning, the water vapor in-creased in the western offshore region as the convections migrated from the island. This prominent diurnal varia-tion confirmed the result from a numerical experiment by Miura et al. (2007) using the Nonhydrostatic ICosahe-dral Atmospheric Model (NICAM).During P2 to P3, the atmosphere over the eastern Indian Ocean contains abundant water vapor, while the Maritime Continent is fairly well heated by solar radiation under calm conditions. This situation should be favor-able for the development of two diurnal convection peaks: the evening convection over the land induced by solar radiative heating and the midnight convection over the ocean triggered by convergence of the low-level westerly wind and the land breeze.

Significant Influence of the Boreal Summer Monsoon Flow on the Indian Ocean Response during Dipole Events

Abstract A majority of positive Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) events in the last 50 years were accompanied by enhanced summer monsoon circulation and above-normal precipitation over central-north India. Given that IODs peak during boreal autumn following the summer monsoon season, this study examines the role of the summer monsoon flow on the Indian Ocean (IO) response using a suite of ocean model experiments and supplementary data diagnostics. The present results indicate that, if the summer monsoon Hadley-type circulation strengthens during positive IOD events, then the strong off-equatorial southeasterly winds over the northern flanks of the intensified Australian high can effectively promote upwelling in the southeastern tropical Indian Ocean and amplify the zonal gradient of the IO heat content response. While it is noted that a strong monsoon cross-equatorial flow by itself may not generate a dipolelike response, a strengthening (weakening) of monsoon easterlies to the south of the equator during positive IOD events tends to reinforce (hinder) the zonal gradient of the upper-ocean heat content response. The findings show that an intensification of monsoonal winds during positive IOD periods produces nonlinear amplification of easterly wind stress anomalies to the south of the equator because of the nonlinear dependence of wind stress on wind speed. It is noted that such an off-equatorial intensification of easterlies over the SH enhances upwelling in the eastern IO off Sumatra–Java, and the thermocline shoaling provides a zonal pressure gradient, which drives anomalous eastward equatorial undercurrents (EUC) in the subsurface. Furthermore, the combination of positive IOD and stronger-than-normal monsoonal flow favors intensification of shallow transient meridional overturning circulation in the eastern IO and enhances the feed of cold subsurface off-equatorial waters to the EUC.

The grazing impact of microzooplankton off south west Western Australia: as measured by the dilution technique

Grazing rates of microzooplankton feeding on picophytoplankton (Flow-cytometry) and total phytoplankton (Chlorophyll a) were measured in the eastern Indian Ocean off south west Western Australia from February 2003 to December 2004. Three sites representing different oceanographic habitats, the coastal lagoon, the outer shelf and the continental slope (1000 m) were sampled. The dilution method of Landry and Hassett (1982, Estimating the grazing impact of marine micro-zooplankton. Mar. Biol., 67, 283–288) was used and analysed by chlorophyll a analysis and flow-cytometry. During summer, the apparent growth rate of total phytoplankton exceeded loss due to microzooplankton grazing in the lagoon and at the outer shelf. On the slope, the phytoplankton assemblage was always dominated by small cells (<5 μm). Although their apparent growth rates were also higher in summer, these were matched by increasing microzooplankton grazing rates. Saturated feeding responses at the outer shelf and slope stations during summer were detected. In this low prey, low productivity environment, this response is either a new type of threshold feeding or an artefact of the dilution method which would result in an over-estimate of both phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing.

Distribution of leptocephali of the freshwater eels, genus Anguilla, in the waters off west Sumatra in the Indian Ocean

A research cruise was conducted in the eastern Indian Ocean off west Sumatra, Indonesia, in June 2003 to learn about the spawning and larval ecology of the tropical freshwater eels of the genus Anguilla in the region. A total of 43 anguillid leptocephali were collected during the cruise and they were genetically identified as 41 Anguilla bicolor bicolor, 1 Anguilla marmorata, and 1 Anguilla interioris. A. bicolor bicolor leptocephali were 44.1–55.5 mm TL and most of them were at the fully grown stage. Reexamination of the historical data of Jespersen (1942) also suggested a relatively low abundance of small size leptocephali (<40 mm) of this species off west Sumatra. Although the study area has long been considered to be a spawning site of A. bicolor bicolor, the distributions of leptocephali from the two surveys and the patterns of ocean currents in the region suggest the possibility that the main spawning area of this species is located farther offshore.