Population Dynamics of Bullet Tuna (Auxis rochei Risso 1881) from the Indian Ocean, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Abstract

The bullet tuna (Auxis rochei), BLT or tongkol lisong (Indonesian) is a species of neritic tuna which is one of the target fish for small scale fishers. The problem of bullet tuna fisheries was that it has reached over exploitation and the immature bullet tuna are still caught.This study aimed to assess the population dynamics of the BLT and its size composition caught by small scale fishers in the Indian Ocean, West Nusa Tenggara. The location of this research was in Bangko-Bangko (West Lombok), Cemplung Beach (South Sumbawa) and Tanjung Luar Fishing Port (East Lombok) between July 2019 and June 2020. The data was derived from the measurement and weighing results of 1,217 BLT collected from the respective collector traders at each sampling location. The growth pattern of BLT was isometric (b= 2.99) which meant the ideal body shape (mesomorph) and length at first maturity (FLm) was 31.11 cm. The length-weight relationship curve showed that BLT was in an immature age group (adolescent fish). Meanwhile, the composition of BLT is worth selling (Condition Factor>1.00), fit for catch (FLc / FLm > 1.00), and worthy of maturity (FLc > FLm), respectively 99.92%, 0.82% and 0.00%. The BLT fish composition indicates that the stocks of resources and populations do not support current sustainable fisheries management. KEYWORDS Adolescence, BLT, Mesomorph, Neritic