Hydrographic Profiling of Temperature–Salinity Vertical Gradients in Fisheries Management Area 715, Maluku Sea, Indonesia | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||
| Volume 29, Issue 5, September and October 2025, Pages 2579-2596 PDF (893.06 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2025.431574.6763 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Amir Machmud Suruwaky* 1; Daniel Heintje Ndahawali1; Muhfizar Muhfizar2; Ismail Ismail3; Mulkan Nuzapril4; Endang Gunaisah1; Mustasim M Mustasim5; Ratna Ratna6; Mestiria Harbani4; Ilham Misbakudin Al Zamzami7 | ||
| 1Departement of Fishing Technology, Sorong Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic, Sorong 98411, Indonesia | ||
| 2Departement of Fishing Mechanization, Sorong Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic, Sorong 98411, Indonesia | ||
| 3Sorong Politeknic of Marine and Fisheries, Sorong, Indonesia | ||
| 4Departement of Capture Fisheries, Lampung State Polytechnic, Lampung 35141, Indonesia | ||
| 5Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic, Sorong | ||
| 6Departement of Fisheries Resource Management, Faculty of Fisheries, Muhammadiyah University of Sorong, Sorong 98416, Indonesia | ||
| 7Coastal and Marine Research Center Brawijaya University, Brawijaya University, Malang 65145, Indonesia | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Understanding the vertical structure of temperature and salinity is essential for explaining thermohaline dynamics and supporting ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) in tropical seas. The Maluku Sea, located within Fisheries Management Area (WPP) 715 of Indonesia, represents a key transition zone of the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF), where strong vertical stratification governs nutrient cycling and pelagic fish distribution. This study aimed to determine the vertical distribution patterns and gradient indices of temperature and salinity at 10-meter depth intervals across three observation blocks, Aru, Obi, and Seram. Hydrographic data were collected in February 2020 using a Conductivity–Temperature–Depth (CTD) profiler (XR-420) and analyzed using Ocean Data View software. Results show a distinct thermocline layer between 100–160m in Aru, 50–130m in Obi, and 100–210m in Seram, with the highest temperature gradient of –0.295°C/m in Aru. The halocline occurred between 100–150m, with the strongest salinity gradient (0.094 PSU/m) recorded in Seram. These patterns indicate limited vertical mixing and strong density stratification that regulate oxygen and nutrient exchange. The identified thermohaline layers correspond to potential pelagic fish aggregation zones, emphasizing their importance for sustainable fisheries management. Continuous monitoring of thermohaline structures is recommended to enhance predictive oceanographic models, support spatial planning, and strengthen data-driven EBFM implementation in eastern Indonesian waters. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Thermocline; Halocline; Indonesian throughflow; Maluku Sea; Ecosystem-based fisheries management | ||
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