Mapping potential fishing zones for skipjack tuna in the southern Makassar Strait, Indonesia, using Pelagic Habitat Index (PHI)

Putri ARS, Zainuddin M, Musbir, Mustapha MA, Hidayat R. 2021. Mapping potential fishing zones for skipjack tuna in the southern Makassar Strait, Indonesia, using Pelagic Habitat Index (PHI). Biodiversitas 22: 3037-3045. Southern Makassar Strait is one of the potential fishing grounds for skipjack tuna in the Indonesian waters. Oceanographic factors become the primary factors that limit the distribution and abundance of fish. The study aimed to identify the relationship between fish distribution with sea surface temperature (SST) and primary productivity (PP) and map out the potential fishing grounds of skipjack tuna in the southern Makassar Strait. It used pelagic habitat index (PHI) analysis, which is strengthened by the results of correlation analysis in the form of generalized additive models (GAM) and Empirical cumulative distribution function (ECDF) analysis. The results showed that the distribution of skipjack tuna was significantly associated with the preferred range of SST 29-30.5°C and PP 350-400 mg C/m2 /day. The potential fishing zone is well established near the coast to offshore of Barru and Polman waters (3°-6°S and 117°-119°E), with the peak season in May and October. The spatial pattern of potential fishing grounds for skipjack fishing is associated with hotspots (oceanographic preference), leading to increased feeding opportunities. This study suggests that the spatial pattern of high potential fishing zones could improve fishing, management, and conservation strategies along the southern Makassar Strait.