Demersal fish resource potential within 30 nm of Federal Territory Labuan
2009
Jamel bin Musel | Hadil bin Rajali
K.K. MANCHONG from Fisheries Research Institute, Sarawak wasdeployed to carry out survey for the assessment of the demersal fish resource within 30 nm of Federal Territory (FT) Labuan. The total area covered was estimated to be 1500 nm2. A total of 35 stations in depth stratum 15-55 m were completed. The total number of species caught was 206: 124 demersals, 39 pelagics, 16 trash fishes, 5rays, 3 sharks and 29 invertebrates comprising squids, cuttlefishes, shrimps, lobsters and crabs. The overall average catch rate obtained was 43.61 kg/hr contributed by demersal, pelagic and trashfish at 23.15 kg/hr (53%), 3.49 kg/hr (8%) and 16.97 kg/hr (39%) respectively. The demersal fish biomass estimated was 2,981 metrictonnes based on catchability coefficient, q of 0.6. At mortality rate, M=2, current biomass derived (at current yield, 23,768 tonnes of demersal fish landed in 2007), the acceptable figures for the Maximum Sustainable Yield, MSY was 14,865 metric tonnes with the exploitation rate, E at 0.80 per year. The E value obtained indicatesthat the demersal fish resource has been over-exploited. Enhancement of the demersal fish resource should be carried out by rehabilitating the area through the formation of artificial reefs and reducing the present effort level.
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