Examining Temporal Changes in Oceanographic Conditions and Their Impact on Seasonal Yellowfin Tuna Catch Trends in Palabuhanratu Bay Waters Toward Sustainable Fisheries Management

Palabuhanratu Bay is one of Indonesia's strategic fisheries with significant potential, particularly for pelagic fish such as the yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). This study aimed to analyze the influence of oceanographic variations, specifically chlorophyll-a and sea surface temperature, on the seasonal catch patterns of yellowfin tuna in these waters. The data include the yellowfin tuna production and satellite imagery of chlorophyll-a and sea surface temperature (2015–2020). The data were analyzed using SeaDAS,  ArcGIS, and Microsoft Excel for data extraction, area cropping, interpolation with the IDW method, and the calculation of the fishing season index (FSI) to determine the correlation between oceanographic variations and the yellowfin tuna production at PPN Palabuhanratu. The analysis results indicated a significant correlation between chlorophyll-a (r=0.753; P<0.05) and sea surface temperature (r=-0.865; P<0.05) with yellowfin tuna production. The FSI revealed peak fishing seasons in February, March, October, November, and December, with FSI values exceeding 100%. Chlorophyll-a concentrations increased during upwelling (June–October), although the fishing season was delayed until the end due to a time lag. These findings suggest that oceanographic factors are crucial in determining fishing seasons, providing a scientific basis for sustainable fisheries management.