Management Status of Tuna Longline Fisheries Based on Cilacap Ocean Fishing Port: an Ecosystem Approach

Abstract

The tuna fishery in the Indian Ocean faces increasing ecological pressure due to overfishing, the capture of juvenile tuna, and bycatch of endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) species. These issues threaten the sustainability of tuna resources in Fisheries Management Area 573 (FMA 573). This study evaluated the sustainability of the tuna longline fishery at Cilacap Ocean Fishing Port (PPS Cilacap) using the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM). A descriptive approach with a composite index assessment was applied across six EAFM domains: fishery resources, aquatic habitats and ecosystems, economy, social, fishing techniques, and institutional. Data were collected through field observations, structured interviews, questionnaires, and document reviews. The assessment showed that the fishery resources (59.71), aquatic habitats and ecosystems (51.67), and economic (51.52) domains were classified as ‘moderate’, while the institutional domain (78.94) was ‘good’, and the social (87.90) and fishing techniques (81.38) domains were ‘very good’. Overall, the tuna longline fishery achieved a composite score of 68.52, indicating a ‘good’ management status. However, improvements are still required, particularly in strengthening fishery resource management, habitat conservation, bycatch mitigation, and monitoring systems. These findings provide scientific support for strengthening ecosystem-based fisheries management and promoting the long-term sustainability of tuna longline fisheries in FMA 573.