Temporal and seasonal influences concerning the carbon footprint of pelagic fisheries

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pelagic fisheries play a vital role in sustaining coastal livelihoods and food security in the Eastern Indian Ocean, yet they also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions due to fuel-intensive operations. Notwithstanding their significance, there is a lack of empirical evidence concerning the carbon footprint associated with small-scale pelagic fisheries in Indonesia. The study aimed to quantify the carbon footprint associated with pelagic fisheries and to investigate variations related to fishing gear and target species, while examining temporal, seasonal, and catch per unit effort influences to enhance climate-resilient fisheries management in the Eastern Indian Ocean. METHODS: A five-year dataset from fuel records, logbooks, landings, and interviews was used to estimate carbon footprints using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Tier ۱ method (۲.۶۸ kilograms carbon dioxide per litre diesel). Trends and relationships concerning gear-specific intensity and catch per unit effort were also analysed. FINDINGS: The average carbon footprints per vessel during ۲۰۱۹–۲۰۲۳ was ۲.۲۲ tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per ton fish. Monthly emissions ranged from ۱.۳۵ to ۴.۹۴ tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per ton fish, with levels ۳۰ to ۴۰ percent higher during peak fishing months (March–June), highlighting the strong influence of seasonal fishing intensity on emission variability. Longline fisheries exhibited the greatest carbon footprint, succeeded by gillnet and handline, while purse seine demonstrated the least cumulative emissions. Monthly catch per unit effort fluctuated from ۰.۵۶ to ۲.۵۲ ton per trip, demonstrating an inverse correlation that suggests greater stock abundance improves fuel efficiency per unit catch. At the species level, Yellowfin Tuna and Scad had the highest carbon footprint intensity, whereas Skipjack Tuna consistently showed the lowest emission levels.CONCLUSION: Although emission intensity remains moderate compared to industrial fleets, cumulative emissions from small-scale pelagic fisheries are significant and strongly effort driven. Re-revitalizing fish populations, boosting fuel efficiency, and embedding routine carbon accounting into fisheries governance are vital for ensuring that pelagic fisheries are in harmony with Indonesia’s sustainable and low-emission blue economy objectives.

کلیدواژه ها:

Carbon footprint ، Pelagic fisheries: Seasonal influences ، Small-scale fisheries.