Small pelagic fisheries condition in North Sulawesi: A case study on traditional purse seine practice in Likupang Village, Indonesia

This study was conducted to know the impact of traditional purse seine fisheries in Likupang village, North Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi, on pelagic fish stocks of scad Decapterus spp. by size at first maturity estimation. Samples were collected from the purse seine catch of Likupang fishermen. They were individually measured and dissected for maturity level examinations. The results showed a wide size range in D. macarellus catch and high catch of small individuals of D. macrosoma reflecting that traditional purse seiners in Likupang could become potential fishing gear to deplete the stocks of scad. This situation makes the purse seine fishermen have to adjust the mesh size to the fishing target.