Size distribution and sex ratio of scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) in Banda Aceh fisheries

Abstract

Scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) are top predators in the marine ecosystem. This species also began to be listed in Appendix II CITES in 2013 and received Indonesia government regulation through banning export. Kutaraja is one of fishing port Banda Aceh, and hammerhead sharks often caught as by-catch from coastal and pelagic fisheries that operate in Indian ocean western part of Aceh. This research aims to determine the size distribution and sex ratio of scalloped hammerhead sharks that landed in Kutaraja fishing port. Data were collected including length distribution and sex composition of captured scalloped hammerhead shark during January-December 2017. Results show that the size distribution of hammerhead sharks are between 62 and 272 cm in Total Length (TL) with an average of 131 cm TL for males and between 58 and 281 cm TL with an average of 128 cm TL for females. There was a positive relationship between the total length and clasper length. The Sex ratio of male and female is 1:1.7. The result of this study hopefully will help management effort for this endangered species, especially in how to reduce the by-catch of female and immature hammerhead sharks that dominate the catch in Banda Aceh fisheries.