Estimating potential fishing zones for Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Abundance in Southern Makassar Strait

This study aims to estimate potential fishing zones by estimating the abundance of skipjack fish in the Makassar Strait using satellite data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques. The data used consists of catch coordinates, skipjack catches, oceanographic data from satellite imagery with high-resolution Spectra-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aqua data (sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a), Etopo1 for depth, and Aviso for the current speed. The prediction of skipjack tuna abundance is calculated by the Generalized Additive Model (GAM) prediction function to determine the best parameters seen from the AIC and GCV value, then mapped using geographic information system techniques by using the multi-regression formula. The results showed that the most potential fishing ground for skipjack tuna in the Makassar Strait was in March 2018 with an estimated abundance of more than 477 fish km(-2) at coordinates 118.1297 east longitude and -3.3814 southern latitude. We suggest that efforts to catch Skipjack Tuna are directed to this area for more profitable catches.