SLSU Faculty Publish Scopus-Indexed Study on Marine Fish Catch in Cabalian Bay
Catherine Patual, Jackylou Sarsale, Marilou Siega, and Anna Marie Sarsale present their research titled “Catch Assessment of Marine Fishes in Cabalian Bay, Philippines: Composition, Abundance, Gear, and Catch Rate,” published in Volume 83 (2025) of the Croatian Journal of Fisheries.
Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) proudly announces the Scopus-indexed publication of a research article authored by Catherine Patual, Jackylou Sarsale, Marilou Siega, and Anna Marie Sarsale. Their paper, titled “Catch Assessment of Marine Fishes in Cabalian Bay, Philippines: Composition, Abundance, Gear, and Catch Rate,” is published in the Croatian Journal of Fisheries (Vol. 83, 2025, pp. 55–69). The study presents the first detailed catch assessment of Cabalian Bay, Southern Leyte, based on data collected from three key landing sites: Pong-oy, Osao, and Minoyho. A total of 73 fish species from 31 families were identified, with Carangidae and Scombridae emerging as the most dominant.
Among the fishing gears used, hook-and-line (pasol) was the most frequently employed, while tawa (drifting longline) and pukot (gill net) recorded the highest catch per unit effort (CPUE) during peak months. Seasonal trends revealed higher fish availability in August, December, and January. The findings underscore the ecological diversity of Cabalian Bay, which supports both pelagic and reef-associated species. The study highlights the importance of science-based fisheries management, including the strengthening of marine protected areas (MPAs), responsible gear use, and adaptive strategies to ensure long-term ecological and economic resilience.
This research directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources (SDG 14 – Life Below Water), contributing to sustainable fisheries that enhance food security and support local livelihoods (SDG 2 – Zero Hunger), and recognizing seasonal patterns and environmental dynamics that influence marine ecosystems, thereby informing strategies for resilience and adaptation (SDG 13: Climate Action). SLSU congratulates the authors for this important contribution to marine science and for advancing evidence-based approaches to coastal resource management that align with global sustainability goals.
📖 Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.2478/cjf-2025-0007