DEVELOPMENT OF EAFM INDICATORS BASED ON BIOMETRIC AND SPATIAL PARAMETERS WITHIN THE FISH RESOURCE DOMAIN FOR THE EVALUATION OF SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES

Abstract

The implementation of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Indonesian small-scale fisheries frequently encounters challenges regarding instrument sensitivity, primarily due to qualitative bias and operational data uncertainty in the field. This study aimed to analyze the weaknesses of existing EAFM indicators in the fish resource domain and reconstruct indicator formulations to be more valid, measurable, and operational. The research was conducted at the Pamayangsari Fish Landing Base (PPI), Tasikmalaya Regency, employing a Research, Design, Production, and Evaluation (RDPE) design with a descriptive qualitative-quantitative approach. Primary data were gathered through field observations, biometric catch sampling, and in-depth interviews with 35 key respondents (fishermen, port authorities, and fish traders). Findings revealed that the existing NWG-EAFM (2014) indicators suffer from critical fundamental subjectivities in qualitative assessment. This study successfully formulated two reconstructed indicator innovations: (1) a Biometric-Based Fish Size Trend Indicator, which converts qualitative perceptions into a quantitative matrix based on the ratio of Length at First Maturity () to mean catch length (); and (2) a Spatial-Logistic Range Collapse Indicator, which converts spatial fishing ground shifts into a combined metric of nautical distance, sailing time, and Fuel Consumption Ratio (FCR). Integrating these reconstructed indicators significantly enhanced EAFM evaluation precision from a "Less Measurable/Yellow" state to a "Valid and Sensitive/Green" state. This research recommends establishing co-management institutions and fishermen field schools to ensure sustainable, participatory biometric and spatial data collection.