Changes in sea temperatures are thought to be the main cause behind fish scarcity in Jembrana, west Bali, experienced in the past eight months.
“We are soon going to conduct research on sea temperatures and its relationship with fish shortages in the Bali Strait,” head of Center for Marine Research and Observation (BPOL), I Nyoman Radiarta, said on Thursday in Negara, as quoted by Antara Bali.
Radiarta says the El Nino phenomenon results in rising temps in the Bali Strait, so fish, especially the main catch of the area, Bali sardinella, seem to move into deeper waters where fishermen struggle to reach them.
BPOL will conduct research over four periods in 2017 to try and understand current conditions better, according to Radiarta.
“With the studies, we hope to find answers to cause of the shortage, as well as anticipate future cases.”
Given the scarcity of fish in the Bali Strait, many fishermen based in Jembrana have turned to other types of work, particularly construction, with some seeking jobs in Denpasar, says Radiarta.
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