Asian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research

Feed Efficiency, Cost Implications, and Supply Chain Characteristics in Small-Scale Pangasius Aquaculture: A Case Study from Kampar Regency, Indonesia

2026-05-23T13:21:30+00:00

Aquaculture sustainability and profitability in small-scale Pangasius farming are strongly influenced by feed efficiency, cost structure, and supply chain dynamics, particularly through the utilisation of locally formulated feeds. This study evaluated the effects of feed efficiency, production costs, and supply chain characteristics on the economic performance of small-scale Pangasius aquaculture in Kampar Regency, Indonesia. Primary data were collected from fifteen fish farmers through field surveys and interviews, complemented by secondary data and time-series projections using linear regression analysis. A scenario-based approach was employed to compare two feed conversion ratio (FCR) conditions, namely 1.5 (efficient production scenario) and 1.9 (actual field condition), together with an assessment using a Supply Chain Efficiency Index (SCEI). The findings revealed that increasing production levels were associated with higher feed demand and rising production costs over time. An increase in FCR from 1.5 to 1.9 resulted in an estimated rise in production costs of approximately 26–27%, leading to a marked reduction in profitability. Although on-farm formulated feed was relatively cheaper than commercial alternatives, its economic advantage diminished under inefficient feed utilisation conditions. In contrast, locally sourced feed systems contributed positively to supply chain performance by reducing dependence on external feed inputs and improving local resource utilisation. The study demonstrates that enhancing feed efficiency is more critical for improving farm profitability than merely lowering feed prices. Furthermore, the integration of technical efficiency, economic evaluation, and supply chain analysis provides a comprehensive framework for supporting sustainable and resilient small-scale aquaculture development. The findings may assist policymakers, extension agencies, and farmers in designing strategies to improve production efficiency and strengthen local aquaculture supply systems.

Study on Health Condition of Lutjanus gibbus during Transition Season in the Alas Strait, Indonesia

2026-05-26T13:23:21+00:00

The Alas Strait is one of the major fishing grounds in West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia, and supports commercially important fisheries resources, including Lutjanus gibbus (humpback red snapper). Increasing fishing pressure on this species has raised concerns over the long-term sustainability of its stock in the region. This study aims to evaluate the stock status of Lutjanus gibbus based on length distribution and SPR values. Data were collected from March to May 2025 at the Tanjung Luar Fish Market, East Lombok Regency, using accidental sampling on 221 individuals. Length-frequency analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel and compared with the length at first maturity (Lm) obtained from the Scientific Forum for Sustainable Fisheries Management of West Nusa Tenggara Province. Stock status was further evaluated using the Length-Based Spawning Potential Ratio (LBSPR) approach through the Barefoot Ecologist’s Toolbox. The results showed that 84% of the sampled individuals were below the length at first maturity (<Lm), whereas only 16% exceeded the maturity threshold (>Lm). The dominant size class ranged from 25.8 to 29.3 cm in total length, indicating that the catch composition was dominated by immature individuals. The SPR analysis yielded a value of approximately 10%, indicating that the stock status of Lutjanus gibbus in the Alas Strait during the first transitional season was overexploited. These findings demonstrate that current fishing activities predominantly exploit immature individuals and may threaten long-term stock sustainability. Therefore, management measures regulating fishing activities during March–May are necessary to support the sustainable utilization of Lutjanus gibbus resources in the Alas Strait.

Analysis of the Suitability of Land for Vannamei Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Cultivation in Mootilango Village, Duhiadaa District, Pohuwato Regency, Indonesia

2026-05-27T11:40:43+00:00

Background: Vannamei shrimp aquaculture in Indonesia has significant economic potential but requires careful land suitability analysis and environmental management to ensure sustainable production and minimize ecological risks.

Aims: To analyze the land suitability level for vannamei shrimp cultivation (Litopenaeus vannamei) in Mootilango Village, Duhiadaa District, Pohuwato Regency, Indonesia, based on water and soil quality parameters.

Study Design: This study employed a survey and direct field observation design.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in shrimp pond areas of Mootilango Village, Duhiadaa District, Pohuwato Regency, Indonesia, from December 2025 to February 2026.

Methodology: Water and pond soil quality observations were carried out at four sampling stations. Parameters measured included temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), salinity, nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, phosphate, brightness, total dissolved solids (TDS), soil pH, and sediment substrate. Data were analyzed using a scoring method based on land suitability classifications consisting of highly suitable (S1), suitable (S2), conditionally suitable (S3), and unsuitable (N). Each parameter was assigned a score according to established suitability criteria for vannamei shrimp aquaculture.

Results: The results showed that water and soil quality conditions were generally still supportive of vannamei shrimp cultivation. Station 1 obtained a total suitability score of 160 and Station 2 obtained 156, both categorized as highly suitable (S1). Meanwhile, Station 3 obtained a score of 152 and Station 4 obtained 144, categorized as suitable (S2). Water temperature ranged from 31.4–34.8°C, pH ranged from 8.2–8.7, salinity ranged from 25–26 ppt, and dissolved oxygen ranged from 4.7–12.1 mg/L. Nitrite concentrations ranged from 0.044–0.058 mg/L, nitrate from 0.063–0.083 mg/L, and ammonia from 0.102–0.18 mg/L. The main limiting factors identified were low dissolved oxygen values at certain stations, acidic soil pH conditions, and uncontrolled water quality management and fertilizer application.

Conclusion: The pond areas in Mootilango Village are generally feasible for the development of vannamei shrimp aquaculture, with most stations classified as highly suitable and suitable categories. However, environmental management improvements, particularly in water quality control, soil condition management, and fertilizer use, are necessary to support sustainable shrimp farming development.

The Relationship between the Abundance of Mole Crabs and Sediment Grain Size in West Lombok Regency and Mataram City

2026-05-29T12:47:05+00:00

Indonesia is a maritime country with abundant marine biological resources, including benthic organisms inhabiting sandy coastal ecosystems. Mole crabs are benthic organisms that inhabit sandy beaches in the intertidal zone and are strongly influenced by substrate characteristics, particularly sediment grain size. This study aimed to determine the relationship between mole crab abundance and sediment grain size in the coastal areas of West Lombok Regency and Mataram City. The research was conducted in October 2025 at three observation stations using the line transect method with 1 × 1 m quadrats for mole crab sampling. Sediment samples were collected using a shovel and analyzed through sieve analysis to determine sediment grain size fractions, including fine sand, medium sand, coarse sand, and very coarse sand. Data were analyzed using correlation tests to evaluate the relationship between mole crab abundance and sediment grain size fractions. The results showed a total of 123 mole crab individuals consisting of two genera, namely Emerita and Hippa, with two identified species Emerita emeritus and Hippa adactyla. Correlation analysis revealed that the abundance of mole crabs had a negative correlation with the medium sand fraction (r = -0,48330) and with the mixed medium-to-coarse sand fraction (r = -0,44835). In contrast, the abundance of mole crabs showed a positive correlation with the very coarse sand fraction (r = 0,39587). These findings indicate that sediment grain size significantly influences the abundance and distribution of mole crabs in intertidal coastal ecosystems. This study provides important ecological information regarding habitat preferences of mole crabs and contributes to the understanding, management, and conservation of sandy beach ecosystems in Indonesia.

Stock Availability Potential of Epinephelus fasciatus During the First Transitional Season in the Alas Strait, Indonesia

2026-05-29T12:52:39+00:00

Groupers (Epinephelus spp.) are high-value coral reef fishes that are highly susceptible to overfishing due to their slow growth and complex reproductive strategies. Consequently, biologically based stock assessments are essential for sustainable fisheries management. Epinephelus fasciatus is among the dominant grouper species exploited in the Alas Strait waters, Indonesia. This study aimed to evaluate the stock status and size structure of E. fasciatus during the first transitional season. Data collection was conducted from March to May 2025 at the Tanjung Luar Fish Market, East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara Province. The collected data consisted of the number of captured individuals and total length measurements. Fish lengths were measured using WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) Image Tools, followed by length-frequency analysis and stock assessment using the Length-Based Spawning Potential Ratio (LB-SPR) approach. The LB-SPR analysis incorporated biological parameters, including asymptotic length (L∞), growth coefficient (k), natural mortality (M), length at first capture (Lc), length at first maturity (Lm), length at 50% maturity (L50), and length at 95% maturity (L95), obtained from the Scientific Forum for Sustainable Fisheries Management of West Nusa Tenggara Province. Results showed that all sampled individuals (100%) exceeded the length at first maturity (Lm = 16.28 cm), with total lengths ranging from 17.46 to 28.81 cm, indicating that all captured fish had reached sexual maturity prior to capture. The dominant size class ranged from 20–24 cm. Furthermore, the estimated Lc exceeded Lm, suggesting that most individuals had the opportunity to reproduce at least once before capture. The SPR value was estimated at 71%, indicating an under-exploited stock condition. These findings suggest that fishing pressure on E. fasciatus in the Alas Strait during the first transitional season remains relatively low and that the stock retains adequate reproductive capacity to support population sustainability.

Relevance of Using the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) at Cirata Reservoir, West Java, Indonesia

2026-05-30T13:31:23+00:00

Fisheries management in Indonesia’s inland waters—particularly in reservoirs like Cirata—aims to ensure sustainable use of aquatic resources by balancing ecological health, socio-economic benefits, and ecosystem-based governance amid challenges such as declining capture fisheries production.This review examines the relevance of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in supporting sustainable fisheries management in Cirata Reservoir, West Java, Indonesia. Cirata Reservoir is an inland water body that supports hydropower, aquaculture, and capture fisheries, but it also faces ecological degradation, declining capture fisheries production, eutrophication, sedimentation, and governance complexity. These conditions show that fisheries management in the reservoir requires a more integrated approach that considers ecological, social, and institutional aspects. The review was conducted using descriptive analysis of scientific literature related to EAFM implementation in inland waters and the current condition of Cirata Reservoir. The article search was conducted using the keywords EAFM, Cirata Reservoir, Capture Fisheries, and Fisheries Resources. The criteria for articles used in this paper include: (1) the article is a scientific publication with a publication year of 2010 or later, (2) the article is a scientific study with the primary topic of EAFM assessment in inland public waters, and (3) the article is a scientific publication published in a credible journal. The reviewed studies indicate that EAFM is relevant for identifying key management issues across habitat, fishing technology, social, economic, fisheries resources, governance, and stakeholder domains. In Cirata Reservoir, this approach is important because it can link environmental stress, fisheries decline, and management fragmentation within one management framework. Therefore, EAFM may serve as a useful basis for sustainable fisheries management in Cirata Reservoir.

Development of Smart Monitoring Technology in Floating Net Cages to Support sustainable Aquaculture

2026-06-02T12:47:24+00:00

The advancement of digital technology has accelerated the transformation of aquaculture management, including floating net cage (FNC) systems that operate under dynamic open-water conditions. This review synthesizes validated literature on smart monitoring technologies for supporting sustainable FNC aquaculture, with emphasis on Internet of Things (IoT)-based water quality monitoring, automated feeding, machine learning applications, and edge-computing integration. Following a systematic literature review procedure guided by PRISMA, the initial reference set was screened and corrected through reference validation, and only traceable and thematically relevant sources were retained for the final synthesis. The reviewed studies indicate that IoT-based systems improve real-time observation of key water quality parameters, including temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, turbidity, and ammonia, thereby supporting faster operational responses. Automated feeding technologies can improve feed management and reduce organic waste, while machine learning and edge computing support the transition from descriptive monitoring to predictive and adaptive aquaculture management. However, field implementation remains constrained by sensor calibration, biofouling, power supply, network stability, limited long-term validation, and user capacity. Overall, smart monitoring technologies have strong potential to improve productivity and environmental sustainability in FNC aquaculture, but wider adoption requires robust field-adapted designs, validated sensor protocols, interoperable platforms, and farmer-oriented capacity building.

Yellow Tail Catfish, Pangasius pangasius (Hamilton, 1822): Effect of Live Feeds on Growth and Survival of Larvae during Rearing in Hatchery Condition

2026-05-22T13:28:03+00:00

Availability of seed of this catfish is considered as a primary factor for the aquaculture. Wild resource is always an option for seed procurement, which does not have any surety on the quantity. Pangasius pangasius, a threatened catfish was induced bred in captivity for getting the larvae. A comparative study of P. pangasius larval performance was observed by feeding mixed zooplankton, Artemia nauplii and tubifex worm in triplicate tanks for a period of 15 days of rearing. The growth parameters and survival rate were analysed for statistical differences by One-Way ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range post hoc test (SPSS 26.0, USA). The values were considered significant at P<0.05. The water quality parameters were within the acceptable range in the rearing tanks. All the live feeds were actively accepted by larvae. The results showed that the growth in terms of weight and length increase of larvae fed Artemia or Tubifex were significantly higher (P< 0.05) compared to the larvae fed to mixed zooplankton. The weight gain, SGR and yield followed a similar trend like growth parameters. The survival rate was affected (P< 0.05), while reared by providing mixed zooplankton as feed compared to the other two live feeds. Therefore, the study recommends to rear this valued larva with Artemia or Tubifex for captive hatchery production. The study also indicated the feeding of zooplankton when a shortage of other two live feeds is experienced.