ENSO Effects on The Alas Strait Squid Resource and Fishery

The Alas Strait squid fishery is described, with emphasis on its fluctuating catches due to the combined effects of fishing and climate variability. The fishery almost exclusively employs ‘jala oras’ (light-lured payang-type fishing gears), which was used in catch and fishing effort analysis. Five squid species constitute 95% of the cumulative annual cephalopod catches. The southern oscillation index (SOI) was used to represent the climate variability component. A 44-year data set, starting from 1960 to 2003, comprising the SOI, fishing effort and squid catches was used in the analysis. There is a very strong correlation (p 0.001) between the three components. A model for the Alas Strait squid fishery was therefore developed by means of incorporating these three components. Average annual values of SOI and fishing effort were used to construct the model. The model can be a useful tool for predicting the squid catches. However, it should be carefully used for forecasting and managing the fishery. In order to effectively used the model, monitoring the catch, fishing effort and the SOI should be carried out, preferably monthly. A suggestion for improving the fishery management is outlined, involving participatory fishery research, planning and management,. in an attempt to enhance the ownership of the fishery.