The demersal fish composition and catch per unit effort of mini bottom trawl at the coast of Demak Regency Central Java

Abstract

Demak is a coastal area on the North Coast of Java with a large enough potential for demersal fish resources. This research aimed to determine the composition, the length and weight distribution, and catch per unit effort (CPUE) of demersal fish caught using mini bottom trawl at the north coast of Demak Regency. The research was carried out in October-December 2020 by observation of ten trips of mini bottom trawl fishing. Each fish captured was then grouped by type, identified, and measured its length and weight. The result showed that 38 species consist of 31 fishes, four mollusks, and three crustaceans. The fish captured dominated by pony fish (Leiognathus equulus) as much as 31.23% and largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) of 23.52%. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) average of mini bottom trawl was 44.77 kg/trip. Mainly fish (more than 95%) caught in small size compared it’s the maximum attainable length (L-max), with all the weight ranges from 0.3 to 520 g and more than 98% sized 0.3-80 g. Mini bottom trawl catches many types of fish and small size; therefore, mini bottom trawl is classified as a type of fishing gear with a very low selectivity level.