AKUMULASI MIKROPLASTIK PADA SPESIES IKAN EKONOMIS PENTING DI PERAIRAN PULAU BARRANGLOMPO, MAKASSAR

Mikroplastik (MP) telah ditemukan di berbagai lingkungan laut khususnya pada ikan, dan informasi terkait akumulasi mikroplastik pada organ-organ ikan masih sangat terbatas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membuktikan keberadaan mikroplastik pada organ insang, saluran pencernaan, dan daging ikan ekonomis penting (Hemiramphus far, Siganus virgatus, dan Lethrinus lentjan) di perairan Pulau Barranglompo, Makassar, serta mengidentifikasi karakteristik mikroplastik meliputi warna, bentuk, dan ukuran. Setiap organ diekstraksi menggunakan KOH 20% dan pengamatan karakteristik MP dilakukan secara visual menggunakan mikroskop stereo. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa mikroplastik ditemukan di insang, saluran pencernaan, dan daging dari ketiga spesies ikan. Tingkat deteksi mikroplastik pada masing-masing H. far, S. virgatus, dan L. lentjan adalah 100%, 100%, dan 82%. Karakteristik warna mikroplastik didominasi oleh biru, bentuk mikroplastik didominasi oleh line, dan kisaran ukuran mikroplastik didominasi 1–5 mm. Penelitian lebih lanjut perlu dilakukan untuk melihat akumulasi mikroplastik pada setiap organ secara eksperimental di laboratorium.

Tracking the invasion of Hemiramphus far and Saurida undosquamis along the southern Mediterranean coasts: A Local Ecological Knowledge study

Local Ecological Knowledge of 92 professional fishers from Tunisia and Libya was used to investigate on the occurrence and establishment of the exotic Hemiramphus far and Saurida undosquamis along the southern Mediterranean coasts. According to fisherman’s knowledge, H. far and S. undosquamis appeared in Libya, in 1980 and 1989 respectively. In Tunisia these species were observed afterwards, in 2004 and 2007. Currently both H. far and S. undosquamis result to be well distributed and established, along the entire surveyed area, from Tubrouk (eastern Libya) to Tabarka (western Tunisia). A statistical analysis of the qualitative trends in abundance perceived by the respondents show that both species have significantly increased in abundance in Tunisia. In Libya an increase of the abundance of H. far was also apparent during the first decade of the 21st century but the current abundance of S. undosquamis resulted to be stable at the level of occasional captures. Given the lack of regular environmental monitoring programmes in the area, these findings provide information that could not have been obtained otherwise. Besides improving our understanding on the status and chronology of these invasions, this approach highlights the value of fisherman’s knowledge to reconstruct ecological process in the course of rapid historical modifications.