Seasonal Habitat Suitability Shifts of Anchovy (Stolephorus indicus) in the Banda Sea During Peak Catch Periods: A MaxEnt Approach

The spatial distribution of anchovy (Stolephorus indicus) in the Banda Sea is not well-documented, even though these fish play a vital role in marine ecosystems and small-scale fisheries. Anchovies serve as key prey for larger predators like tuna and are essential for maintaining the balance of the pelagic food web. However, the lack of detailed information about their potential habitats poses challenges for implementing sustainable fishery management strategies. This study aimed to model and map the potential habitats of anchovies during the peak fishing season using the MaxEnt (Maximum Entropy) approach. The model is developed using presence-only data gathered from fishing activities in the Banda Sea between 2020 and 2022, along with relevant oceanographic parameters such as sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface salinity (SSS), sea surface height (SSH), chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a), and ocean current velocity (CUR). The Fishing Seasonal Index (FSI) was used to determine the active fishing months, revealing that November is the peak season. The model results showed that the distribution of anchovy habitats in the Banda Sea is highly dynamic and closely linked to seasonal changes in oceanographic conditions. Shifts in suitable habitat areas were noted, particularly moving from the western and southern regions toward the southeastern part of the sea. These findings offer valuable insights for developing ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) in this area. By providing spatial and temporal guidance, this study aids in more efficient fishing operations and supports the long-term sustainability of anchovy resources in the Banda Sea