MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF FISH CAUGHT IN POCKET DRAG NETS (JTB) OF FISHERMEN AT TPI NUSANTARA BRONDONG FISHERY HARBOR, LAMONGAN

Abstract

Brondong Nusantara Fishing Port (NFP) is a type B port located in Indonesia. Brondong NFP, with its adequate facilities, has become the economic center for the fishing community engaged in fishing activities using cantrang nets or Pocket Seines (JTB). In accordance with the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Regulation Number 18 of 2021 concerning the Placement of Fishing Gear and Fishing Aids, the prohibited mesh size for cantrang nets is less than 2 inches (5 cm), so it is replaced with a Pocket Trawl Net with a minimum mesh size of 2 inches. Fish have body parts that can be measured and counted. The measurement referred to is morphometric measurement. This morphometric measurement can be used to determine fish growth patterns, feeding habits, fish classification, and as a basis for identifying fish that are catchable and those that are not yet catchable. This research was conducted with the aim of determining the morphometric characteristics of catches from vessels using the Purse Seine Fishing Gear (PSFG) by fishermen at PPN Brondong. The method used in this study is a quantitative method conducted at the TPI PPN Brondong by performing morphometric measurements of fish. Measurements were conducted by assessing 8 morphometric characters of the catch from 5 JTB boats. The results of this study indicate that the JTB fishing gear used by fishermen at PPN Brondong does not comply with the regulations on permissible fishing gear based on PERMENKP No. 18 of 2021. The allowed mesh size for operation is 5 cm or 2 inches, while the minimum width of the fish body is 3 cm or 1.1 inches, which the fishermen catch and can impact the sustainability of fish populations.