Mapping potential fishing zones based on sea surface temperature and Chlorophyll-A in the Waters of Aceh Besar, Indonesia

Abstract

Utilization of potential fishery and marine resources is still not maximally used by fishermen. Sea surface temperatures and the spread of chlorophyll-a through remote sensing systems can be used as potential fishing zones. This study aims to determine potential fishing zones using geographic information systems through the distribution of sea surface temperatures and the value of chlorophyll-a concentrations in Aceh Besar waters which is expected to improve the sustainability of fishing efforts. This research was conducted in January-December 2019 using geographic information system by extracting from Aqua-MODIS satellite image with resolution of 4 km and sea surface temperature overlay method with chlorophyll-a concentration. The results found the highest sea surface temperature value was in April at 31.62°C and the lowest temperature was in December at 28.45°C. The highest average chlorophyll-a concentration in Aceh Besar waters was 1.53 mg/m3 in December and the lowest concentration of chlorophyll-a in June and September was 0.20 mg/m3. Suspected potential fishing zones during January to December 2019 were found as many as 62 potential fishing zones, namely in the Western, Northwest and Eastern waters of Aceh Besar. The most zones are in December as many as eight zones, namely in the Western, Northwest and East parts of Aceh Besar waters and the least found in July as many as one zone that is in the Western part of Aceh Besar waters. When compared to fishing operations areas, the potential fishing zone is in the western part of Aceh Besar waters.