Examining fishing activities based on in-situ tracking and oceanographic characteristics in Aru Sea and surroundings

Fisheries activites and oceanographic conditions have a strong relationship. Understanding the complex interplay between fisheries and oceanographic conditions is essential for effective fisheries management. The aim of this research is to analyze the in-situ fishing activities with oceanographic conditions in the Fisheries Management Area (FMA) or WPP-NRI 718 located in the Aru Sea and its surroundings. The main data source is from open global data ship tracking and oceanographic conditions from satellite data. In general, fishing is conducted around the waters of Aru Island. The fishing grounds are strongly influenced by a combination of environmental factors, including sea surface temperatures, chlorophyll-a (Chlor-a) concentrations, sea surface height, and current velocities. A decrease in fishing patterns around Aru Island waters occurs in the eastern season, where fishing tends to occur in the western region (near Timor-Leste). Based on the oceanographic conditions, fishing tends to occur in regions with warmer conditions ranging from 27 to 29 °C, moderate Chlor-a (1.02–3.01 mg/m3), a relatively high surface height (0.17–0.32 m), and slow surface currents. •FMA 718 is a vital hotspot for fishing activities•Distinct variations in SST, SSH, Chlor-a, and ocean currents between the Northwest Monsoon and Southeast Monsoon•Understanding fishing-ocean interaction is key to developing more effective and sustainable fisheries management strategies.