John Sikule Sabuyi
Biography
He is a Founder and Executive Director of the Blue Economy Organization (BEO) Tanzania. Currently he is a master's student in Marine Biology at Zhejiang Ocean University (ZJOU), Zhoushan, China. He is a holder of the first batch of bachelor’s degree in Marine Science from the Institute of Marine Science (IMS) Zanzibar campus of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM)
Research Interest
Marine Remote Sensing, Marine Biology and Conservation, Blue Economy, Aquaculture and Fisheries.
Abstract
Relationship Between Chlorophyll-a and Small Pelagic Fish Catches in Zanzibar Coastal Zone Based on Remote Sensing Technology.
Utilization of ocean remote sensing in mapping of blue resources has increased potential understanding of primary productivity and small pelagic fish catches. This blue resource is vital for coastal populations dependent on artisanal fishing for their income and food security, such as in coastal East Africa. This research investigates the relationship between chlorophyll-a distribution and small pelagic fish catches of Sardine and Indian Mackerel changes in environmental oceanographic parameters over the period 2017–2022 around the Unguja channel, Zanzibar. Phytoplankton, indicated by chlorophyll-a, are crucial for primary productivity in aquatic ecosystems, thriving in the euphotic zone and influenced by irradiance, temperature, nutrients, wind, ocean currents, upwelling, and monsoon season. The study utilized remote sensing data from Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem-Sentinel-3 Data (OL_2_WFR-Water Full Resolution with a 300m resolution) to map chlorophyll-a concentrations and fish catch data at four selected fishing sites. The fish catch of Sardine and Indian Mackerel shows a strong correlation with chlorophyll-a levels, where chlorophyll-a in near urban areas, near shore, near upwelling was high. The Southeast monsoon is shown to have a high abundance of chlorophyll-a and pelagic fish catches at the same time, and the Northeast has low ones, respectively. The highest catch fish were Indian Mackerel followed by Sardine in both seasons. These findings support fisheries management and policy formulation in Zanzibar, aligning with the Blue Economy Policy, by identifying potential fishing zones and enhancing the understanding of primary productivity and fish distribution for sustainable exploitation of marine resources.
