Jurnal Perikanan (J. Fish. Sci.) IX (2): 267-273 ISSN: 0853-6384 Copyright©2007, Jurnal Perikanan (Journal of Fisheries Sciences) All Rights Reserved 267 AN EXPERIMENTAL FISHING OPERATION OF COLLAPSIBLE TRAP FOR CAPTURE OF CORAL FISH UJI COBA PENGOPERASIAN BUBU LIPAT UNTUK PENANGKAPAN IKAN KARANG Abstract The aim of this research was to know the effectiveness of the trap which was modified and redesigned from its original. The research was conducted in the water of Baa, Rotendao district, East Nusa Tenggara Province. The trap was operated for 3 months started from August to November 2004 by using three types of baits. Fishes were collected from the trap every 2-3 days immersion by pulling up the trap on board. There were 69 individuals fishes in one trap representing 11 families and 15 species. Most fish species were highly economic values and was dominated by snappers (Lutjanidae) and groupers (Serranidae). The fish size were ranging from 17 to 29 cm of tolat lenght (TL). There was no significant difference between bait used on the catch (p>0.05) suggesting that bait may not be required anymore on this specific reef fishing methods. It is realized that further studies may be required, however in the mean time, this gear may provide an alternative method for small scale reef fishing. Key words: bait, collapsible fish trap, reef fishing method Introduction It has been known that numbers of fishing techniques have direct effect on coral reef habitat (Jennings & Lock, 1996) and according to Munro (1987), trap was one of them. In Komodo National Park, three main destructive fishing methods were identified namely bomb, cyanide and the use of traditional traps (Mosse et al. , 2005). Although they have raised this concern, they did not specifically provide further details of the effect on reef habitats. Previously, trap was often operated in shallow water and across to reef habitat. Recently, this practice has changed drastically to deeper water after additional equipments were used and operation method were developed including the use of canoe or boats to carry the traps. In addition, bad practice seems to be remained undergo as fisherman always using coral reef by putting on top of the trap as an additional weight and attractor. Fisherman also often argued that the use of extra rock, especially coral reef, would help to accelerate the catch because coral reef acts as camouflage. As the use traps increased, coral reef habitats have experienced more significant destruction (Munro, 1987). Studies on fish trap practices have developed in many places to get better practice and environmentally sound. Numbers of studies showed that fish trap gave significant contribution on fish catch especially when operating in more heterogeneous habitats including rocks, coral reefs and mangroves areas (Ferry & Kohler, 1987; Sainbury, 1988; Davies, et al., 1989; Sheaves, 1996). Barbara Grace Hutubessy *)♠) and Jacobus Wilson Mosse *) *) Program Studi Pemanfaatan Sumberdaya Perikanan, Fakultas Perikanan, Universitas Pattimura Ambon, Jl. MR. Chr. Suplanit, Poka. Ambon 97100 - Maluku ♠ ) Corresponding author: E-mail: picachixy@yahoo.com Full Paper