Specifications Of The Payang Fishing Gear And Its Catch Composition In Pasie Nan Tigo Subdistrict, Padang City, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia

Abstract

This study investigates the technical characteristics and catch composition of payang (boat seine) fishing gear operated in Pasie Nan Tigo Subdistrict, Padang City, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Fieldwork was carried out from February to July 2024 using direct measurements of fishing gear components, observation of fishing operations, and systematic sampling of landed catches. Recorded technical parameters included net materials, mesh sizes, codend dimensions, and configurations of the headline and footrope. Catch composition was analysed based on species weight proportions, while the occurrence of juvenile fish was used to evaluate gear selectivity. The results indicate that the payang gear is mainly constructed from polyamide netting with gradually decreasing mesh sizes towards the codend, allowing effective capture of small pelagic species. The catch was dominated by anchovies, scads, and mackerels, although juvenile individuals were present in considerable proportions. Variations in catch composition were associated with fishing time and local environmental conditions. Although payang fisheries provide important socio-economic benefits to coastal communities, the capture of juvenile fish suggests potential risks to stock sustainability. The findings of this study provide baseline information to support selective gear modification and sustainable management of small-scale payang fisheries in Indonesian coastal waters.