lautnusantara.com The Javan mackerel (Sardinella fimbriata), despite its small size, plays a significant role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. Although often classified as demersal fish (fish that live on the seabed), Javan mackerel is actually a small, migratory pelagic fish that lives in schools in shallow and offshore waters. Its strategic role in the food chain makes it key to the survival of many other species.

Javan mackerel as an Energy Bridge
Jakarta mackerel plays a crucial role in energy transfer in marine ecosystems. They reside at lower trophic levels, serving as an energy bridge from primary producers to higher-level consumers.

• Main Feeding: Javan mackerel feed on phytoplankton and zooplankton, converting the energy from these microscopic organisms into larger biomass.
• Predator Food Source: The biomass produced by Javan mackerel serves as a vital food source for various predators, such as large pelagic fish (tuna, skipjack tuna, and mackerel), seabirds, and marine mammals.

If the scad fish population declines, the predator populations that depend on it will also decline. This demonstrates the importance of this small fish in maintaining a stable food chain.

Economic Value and Vulnerability
Scad fish have high economic value due to their affordable price and abundant availability. This fish is highly sought after by the public and the fishing industry, both for direct consumption and for processing into other products such as sardines, fish meal, or live bait.

However, this high demand also carries risks. Scad fish are highly vulnerable to overfishing due to their schooling and easy-to-catch nature. If fishing is not properly regulated, scad fish stocks could experience serious pressure.

Management Efforts for Sustainability
Given their significant role in the ecosystem and the high fishing pressure, sustainable management is essential. Some steps that can be taken include:

• Fishing Gear Control: Regulating the use of environmentally friendly fishing gear and limiting mesh sizes to prevent the capture of juvenile scad fish.
• Catch Limits: Implementing quotas or limits on catches to allow fish populations to recover.
• Fishing Seasons: Determining the appropriate fishing season to allow the scad to reproduce.

By maintaining scad populations, we not only ensure the availability of an affordable protein source but also protect the balance of the marine ecosystem as a whole.

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