Vita Rumanti Kurniawati, Aiza Novira, Mokhamad Dahri Iskandar, Didin Komarudin, Am Azbas Taurusman, Ledhyane Ika Harlyan
Wire traps are widely used in small-scale reef fisheries, providing important livelihoods for coastal communities in Indonesia. However, these traps have a high risk of being lost during deployment. Lost traps may continue to capture fish unintentionally, known as ghost fishing, and contribute to marine debris. Because trap material influences both durability and the environmental risks associated with trap loss, understanding the life cycle performance of existing materials is a crucial step toward developing more sustainable alternatives. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework supports this effort, beginning with a comprehensive Life Cycle Inventory (LCI). This study examines the life cycle characteristics of wire trap fisheries in the Thousand Islands using an LCI approach. Data were collected through observation and interviews with experienced fishers and local boat builders. The study consisted of defining the goal and scope, conducting the LCI, and interpreting the results. A gate-to-grave system boundary was applied, covering trap construction to end-of-life handling. The functional unit was defined as one trap in operation for one year, enabling comparison between galvanized traps and PVC-coated traps. The results indicate that the operational phase of both traps dominates annual resource use, largely due to fuel and supplies, totaling 208.20 kg/year. This heavy reliance on fuel generates 119.3 kg/year of outputs, including CO₂, which accounts for approximately 99% of combustion emissions, other combustion-related pollutants, and solid waste from fishing supplies. Material performance also differs: PVC-coated traps require less material mass annually but generate more solid waste due to their shorter lifespan, whereas galvanized traps are heavier but more durable, repairable, and more frequently recycled. Overall, fuel consumption is the primary environmental concern in wire trap fisheries, while material choice significantly impacts waste generation and end-of-life outcomes. The LCI baseline developed here provides essential groundwork for future full LCA studies and for advancing environmentally responsible trap designs in small-scale tropical fisheries. © 2026, Egyptian Society for the Development of Fisheries and Human Health. All rights reserved.
Department of Fisheries Resources Utilization, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, IPB University, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia; Study program of Technology and Management of Capture Fisheries, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, IPB University, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia; Study program of Fisheries Resources Utilization, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
