ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLINESS LEVEL OF BOAT LIFT NET FISHING GEAR BASED ON CCRF CRITERIA AT PPN SIBOLGA, NORTH SUMATRA PROVINCE

Abstract

Boat lift nets are one of the fishing gears used by fishermen at the Nusantara Fishing Port (PPN) Sibolga, North Sumatra. However, the level of their environmental friendliness needs to be evaluated because this gear often catches various non-target species (bycatch) and uses a relatively small mesh size of 0.5 inches. This study aimed to determine the environmental friendliness level of boat lift nets based on the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) at PPN Sibolga. The research was conducted at Tangkahan Murni, one of the landing sites within the working area of PPN Sibolga, from April 30 to May 28, 2025. A descriptive method with a quantitative approach was used through surveys and interviews using questionnaires. Respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique, involving 10 boat lift net units out of a total of 52 units operating at PPN Sibolga. The respondents included crew members, skippers, vessel managers, fish sorters, consumers, and local community members. The observed variables referred to the nine CCRF criteria. The results showed that the boat lift nets at PPN Sibolga obtained a score of 28, which falls into the very environmentally friendly category. According to the FAO (1995) guidelines, scores ranging from 28 to 36 are classified as very environmentally friendly fishing gear.