CHAPTER II. Technology Indicator for Fish catching

2.1 Development of Indicators, Values ​​, and Weights in Fishing Technology

     The Domain of Fishing Technology is one of the tools used in assessing the condition of fisheries management with an ecosystem approach. It is used to analyze the status and impacts arising from the use of fishing technology in inland waters ecosystems so that strategic steps can be taken to regulate fishing efforts in these inland water. There are 5 (five) indicators in the fishing technology domain, namely permitted API, fishing methods, API selectivity and capacity, API productivity, and API placement. Based on the results of discussions with several experts, it has been agreed that each indicator in the Fishing Technology Domain has a different weight and ranking for each WPPNRI-PD. The weight on each indicator shows the indicator's importance to the domain.

2.2. Permitted Fishing Gear

     The definition of fishing gear that is allowed in this technical guideline is tools, aids, and/or fishing materials that do not cause damage (destructive) to fish resources or the environment. The criteria for fishing gear that are allowed include the use of the type of gear and/or material and the size of fishing gear following the principles of sustainable fisheries. Then it also regulated the applicable provisions by the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Number 18 of 2021 concerning the Placement of Fishing Gear and Fishing Auxiliary Equipment Fish in the Fisheries Management Area of ​​the Republic of Indonesia. Permitted fishing gear indicator measurements are carried out to determine the ratio of fishing gear used following applicable provisions by fishing actors in an inland waters ecosystem. Furthermore, in determining the criterion score of the permissible fishing gear indicator, the criterion used is the number of API units that do not follow the provisions regarding type, size/dimension, and selectivity. The assessment of indicators of fishing gear that are not environmentally friendly uses a Likert scale using a value of 1 to 3. The value criteria for indicators of fishing gear that are not environmentally friendly, namely, the higher the use of destructive fishing gear, the smaller the value, and vice versa. The list of permitted fishing gear can be seen in appendix 1.

2.3. Fishing Methods

     The definition of fishing methods in this technical module is operating fishing gear in a certain water area or groups, either by using fishing gear that is pulled, circled, spread and dropped or trapping fish using tools and/or fishing rods at certain waters. The measurement of fishing method indicators is carried out to determine the existence of destructive fishing gear operations in inland waters. The criteria for fishing methods that can be detrimental to the sustainability of fish resources in inland waters include fishing using withdrawn API, carried out in groups, or utilizing the deeper parts of the waters (lebung) to trap fish when the waters recede. Assessment of fishing method indicators uses a Likert scale with a value of 1 to 3. the value criteria for fishing method indicators work in such a way that the higher the destructive power of fishing activity on the sustainability of fish resources, the smaller the value, and vice versa.

2.4. Selectivity and Capacity of Fishing Gear

     The selectivity and capacity of fishing gear referred to in this technical module are the size and/or dimensions of the fishing gear used daily or seasonally by fishermen. API selectivity is generally associated with the diversity of fish caught, both the type and size of fish caught. According to the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries 8.5.1 (FAO, 1995), selective fishing gear aims to minimize waste, non-target catches of fish and non-fish species, and other impacts related to catches. As regulated in Permen-KP Number 18 of 2021 that the level of API selectivity is determined based on a) the size of the mesh, b) the length of the line of rise, c) the dimensions of the fishing gear, d) the number of fishing gear units used per trip, e) the length of the lead net, and f) the light fishing gear

     Measuring selectivity indicators and API capacity is carried out to identify the number of fishing gear not following applicable regulations. In measuring selectivity and API capacity indicators, the parameters measured include data on the type and size of fish caught and the fishing gear used. The selectivity and API capacity indicators assessment uses a Likert scale of 1 to 3. The value criteria for the API selectivity and capacity indicators, namely, the more fishing gear that does not obey selectivity and capacity measurements, the lower the value it gains, and vice versa.

2.5. Fishing Equipment Productivity

     API productivity, referred to in this technical module, is the ability of fishing gear to catch the target fish. API productivity is generally associated with the number of catches in units of weight (kilograms) or each fish. The API Productivity indicator is measured to determine the amount of fishing gear used and sufficient to deplete fish resources in inland waters. The criteria for high API productivity are APIs that can catch an average of more than 10 kilograms of fish per fishing operation. The reference value of API productivity is determined based on the agreement of inland fisheries experts and empirical values ​​in the field. Assessment of API productivity indicators uses a Likert scale of 1 to 3. As for the value criteria for API productivity indicators, the more this fishing gear has high productivity. The value will be smaller, and vice versa.

2.6. Placement of Fishing Equipment

     The placement of fishing gear referred to in this technical module is the location of API installation in a fishing operation. Based on Permen-KP Number 18 of 2021 concerning the Placement of Fishing Gear and Fishing Auxiliary Equipment in the Fisheries Management Area of ​​the Republic of Indonesia and the Open sea and Arrangement of Andon Fishing. The API placement in inland waters can be carried out in rivers, lakes, swamps, reservoirs, and/or other bodies of water that are not prohibited. The areas prohibited from fishing according to Permen-KP No.18 of 2021 consist of spawning grounds and care areas; shipping lanes; water conservation of area core zone; marine biota migration path; and other fishing areas determined by the minister.

     However, considering the carrying capacity and recovery capacity of fish resources in inland waters, installing fishing gear in important habitats, or closing most of the fish routes/migration routes are considered detrimental to the sustainability of fish resources. According to related experts, important habitat is an area of ​​water that becomes a fish spawning area and nursery habitat. Therefore, fishing gear placed in important habitats is estimated to be the most detrimental to the sustainability of fish resources in inland waters. Assessment of fishing gear placement indicators uses a Likert scale of 1 to 3. Then, the value criteria for fishing gear placement indicators, that is, if the fishing gear is placed in important habitats, the value will be smaller, and vice versa.