Sustainability Assessment of Octopus (Octopus cyanea) Fisheries in Wakatobi National Park Using EAFM Indicators

This study utilized the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) to assess the sustainability of octopus (Octopus cyanea) fisheries in Wakatobi National Park, Indonesia. A comprehensive evaluation of the six fundamental EAFM domains was conducted, encompassing octopus resources, habitat and ecosystem, fishing technology, economics, society, and institutions. The data were collected through field surveys, stakeholder interviews, and secondary sources, and analyzed using a scoring system based on established EAFM indicators. The findings suggest that multiple domains, encompassing resource status, habitat conditions, and fishing gear selectivity, fall within the good to very good categories. This observation reflects environmentally friendly practices and stable resource use. Local fishers primarily employ pissi kuitta (octopus lures), a method of fishing that is selective and non-destructive, thereby contributing to the ecological sustainability of the fishery. The social domain exhibited similarly high performance, propelled by robust stakeholder involvement and the incorporation of indigenous ecological knowledge. However, the economic domain revealed significant challenges, with low household income and limited financial resilience despite stable asset ownership. Furthermore, the investigation revealed deficiencies in governance, particularly concerning the legality of vessels and the absence of certification among fishers. The composite assessment places the fishery in a moderately sustainable status. The fishery has strong ecological and social foundations, but economic and institutional gaps require targeted policy intervention. It is imperative to fortify economic resilience and institutional capacity to guarantee the long-term viability of octopus fisheries within this designated marine protected area.