RESEARCH ABOUT STOCK CONDITION OF SKIPJACK TUNA (Katsuwonus pelamis) IN GULF OF BONE, SOUTH SULAWESI, INDONESIA

Abstract

Research on stock of skipjack tuna in the Gulf of Bone has been done from January until October, 2016. The objective of the research was to analyze condition of skipjack tuna according to fishing season and fishing area. The condition of the stock be analyzed using some indicators such as size structure, number of cohort, exploitation rate, population growth rate, fishing mortality rate. Stock condition was determined by Mallawa method. The result of the research showed that population of skipjack tuna captured in the Gulf of Bone dominated by small size fishes, population consist three cohorts, fishing mortality was high (more than 1.0), exploitation rate was high (more than 0.5), growth rate was low (less than 0.5) and percentage of suitable length for catch was low (less than 50%) for all fishing season. The research conclusion that stock conditionof skipjack tuna either in East monsoon season or West monsoon season were less good or under pressure.