Detection of Chlorophyll-a Front and Its Relation to Skipjack Tuna Catches in Makassar Strait

The purpose of this study is to detect chlorophyll-a front by using the Single Image Edge Detection (SIED) method and analyze the influence of the closest distance of chlorophyll-a front to the skipjack tuna catches. This study was conducted from June to August 2019. Data collecting was conducted by using survey method by following fishing operations in two research areas namely Barru Regency and Pinrang Regency, South Sulawesi, which is the representation of the fishing base area of skipjack tuna fishing in Makassar Strait. We collected skipjack tuna catches data and fishing ground positions (longitude and latitude). We used chlorophyll-a imagery data which was downloaded from https://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/. The results showed that chlorophyll-a front was detected in every observation month and more detected in offshore of the southern part of Makassar Strait. Based on GAM analysis, there is a relationship of the closest chlorophyll-a front distance from the catch point where the skipjack tuna catches is relatively higher at a distance of 15 -20 km from the nearest chlorophyll-a front distance. This research is dedicated to being used as a reference for skipjack tuna resources management in Makassar Strait.