The distribution of yellowfin tuna based on sea surface temperature and water depth parameters in the Bone Gulf, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aimed to visualize the distribution of yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacores in Bone Gulf, Indonesia. Yellowfin tuna is among the most important large pelagic fish species cached by local fishermen using pole and line gear. This study is a preliminary process in identifying suitable habitat for yellowfin tuna using Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and water depth parameters. It used oceanographic and fishery data from satellite remote sensing of Geographic Information System (GIS). The SST data was gained from Terra/MODIS. The waters depth data was gained from the ETOPO2 satellite database, whereas some points were later confirmed through the Echo sounder record. The experimental fishing was conducted from May to 2019. The result showed that the yellowfin tuna distributions were relatively higher in 30.0 to 31.0 oC SST and 500 to 1,000 m water depth. Both of the parameters analyzed in this study played an important role in the distribution. The numbers represented preferences in defining the optimal habitat of the yellowfin tuna, especially in the study area. This information could be useful to predict the potential fishing zones where yellowfin tuna would be distributed in abundance.