Business feasibility assessment of floating cage system of trevallies in Inner Ambon Bay

Abstract. 

Study on the feasibility of a floating cage cultivation business of Trevally in Inner Ambon Bay (IAB) waters was done to analyse the production factors of floating cage system and to analyse the feasibility business of floating cage system in IAB. This research was conducted in IAB considering most of floating cage distribution are located in the area. Data collection was carried out on floating cage cultivation business units in IAB waters, which consisted of 10 cultivation units according to the management group. Result of this research showed that the factors of production in the Trevallies aquaculture business unit in IAB are supply of feed that cover mostly operational cost and unavailability of feed suppliers, supply of fish seeds from Marine Cultivation and Seed Center Waiheru Ambon and the availability of labour ranging from 2-5 people per business unit. The cultivation of Trevallies in IAB using the floating cage method is very feasible and profitable to run

1. Introduction

Inner Ambon Bay (IAB) waters have ecological, economic and socio-cultural functions for the community. Starting from its functional existence, the IAB waters have been utilized by the community with various interests. Among other things, as an area for capture fisheries and cultivation, sea transportation routes, conservation areas and places for recreation and sports [1, 2]. In the field of aquaculture, IAB is used as a location for groupers and rabbit fish culture using a floating cage system and the potential of aquaculture in IAB is very promising [3]. Based on the conditions described above, the development of the aquaculture is a strategic step to increase fishery productivity in Ambon City by utilizing IAB marine environmental services as a cultivation medium (mariculture). Development efforts can be made based on scientific studies that can provide information as a basis for management, one of which is information about the feasibility of cultivation in IAB. Information regarding the feasibility level of cultivation, especially floating cages in IAB, which has been carried out for a long time, can be an indicator of the capacity of the land to support the development of cultivation businesses. Referring to the existing conditions, scientific studies on the feasibility of floating cage cultivation have the following urgencies. First, the productivity of marine culture, especially the type of fish resources for floating cage cultivation commodities in Ambon City, shows an increasing trend in the period 2012 - 2016 (Figure 1). The production of grouper, snapper, rabbitfish, pompano and other fish cultivation has increased annually from a total production of 4.92 tons in 2012 to 61.13 tons in 2016 [4]. This condition gives an indication of the prospect of developing floating cage cultivation in IAB waters.