Forecasting the Fishing Ground of Small Pelagic Fishes in Makassar Strait Using Moderate Resolution Image Spectroradiometer Satellite Images

The Makassar Strait is the major fishing ground for small pelagic fish, on South Sulawesi, Indonesia using both commercial fishing vessels and boats with traditional fishing gear. Though small pelagic fish is one of dominant commercial food fish in South Sulawesi, the annual Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) decreased from 6163.3 tons in 2007 to 5148.7 tons in 2011. The purpose of this research was to forecast the fishing ground of small pelagic fishes employing Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite images in Makassar Strait territory with the study interest of 3°S to 5°S and 118°E to 120°E. Fishing data collected from the fishermen include fishing locations, catch, sea surface temperature, and chlorophyll concentrations. To determine the relationship between catch and oceanographic parameters, a linear regression analysis was employed. We also examined sea surface temperature (SST) and Chlorophyll-a concentration field data vs. MODIS satellite data. The result showed that SST and Chlorophyll distributions had a close relationship with the distribution of fishing ground of small pelagic fishes. The fishing ground tended to spread on the waters with the SST ranged from 26°C to 30°C and the Chlorophyll concentration ranged from 0.3mg/m3 to 2.8 mg/m3. By using MODIS satellite images, the fishermen may be easier to find the potential fishing grounds of small pelagic fishes in Makassar Strait.