As marine heatwaves intensify, Bali’s fishers hunt far and wide
Ocean Heatwaves Threaten Bali's Fishing Industry and Livelihoods
Rising Ocean Temperatures and Their Impact
Bali’s fishing community is facing tough times as rising ocean temperatures cause fish stocks to decline. Marine heatwaves—periods of unusually high ocean temperatures—are disrupting marine ecosystems and affecting the livelihoods of thousands of local fishers. For workers like Eko Sulistiono, who has spent over 20 years unloading fish at Kedonganan Port, the change is clear. “There are fewer and fewer fish coming here,” he said. Eko’s monthly earnings have dropped to 2,000,000 Indonesian rupiah ($126), less than half of what he earned five years ago.
Government data reveals that Bali’s fish catch has fallen sharply, from 244,325 tonnes a decade ago to just 133,858 tonnes in 2022. This decline is worrying for Indonesia, the second-largest fish producer globally, where fishing contributes 2.5% of the country’s GDP. As marine heatwaves become more frequent, local economies and food supplies are under threat.
Prolonged Heatwaves and Their Effects
Marine heatwaves affect not just surface waters but also deeper ocean layers, particularly between 50 and 250 meters where fish like tuna live. A study in Nature Climate Change warns that these heatwaves are growing longer, more intense, and more frequent. Lead author Eliza Fragkopoulou explains that while some species may not go extinct, they may vanish from specific regions, including Indonesia.
Warmer waters reduce oxygen levels, harm marine life, and disrupt food chains. Coral reefs, kelp forests, and seagrass beds—which are vital for marine biodiversity—are especially vulnerable. Rising temperatures also force fish to migrate to cooler waters, leading to “species expansion,” where fish populations shift geographically. This movement can create severe challenges for fishing communities that depend on these species for their livelihoods.
Fishing Communities Struggle to Adapt
For many in Bali’s fishing industry, adapting to these changes is becoming increasingly difficult. At Benoa Port, captain Wardai, 70, recalls how fishing trips have become longer as tuna move farther away. Boats now spend up to ten months at sea, driving up costs and making fishing less profitable. In the first half of 2023, Benoa Port produced just 9,700 tonnes of yellowfin tuna, a steep decline from 15,000 tonnes during the same period in 2022.
The port, once a hub of activity, now sees fewer boats unloading catches. Between 2016 and 2018, around 200 fishing vessels moved from Benoa to eastern Indonesia in search of better stocks. Many fishers are leaving the industry altogether. Irfan, a 35-year-old crew member, has decided not to return to sea after nearly ten years of work. “I gave up,” he said, citing the long hours and time spent away from his family.
Aquaculture: A Hopeful Solution
Activists and experts are urging the Indonesian government to expand aquaculture—raising fish in controlled environments—to help fishing communities. Indonesia has about 18 million hectares suitable for aquaculture, but only 6% is currently being used. Expanding aquaculture could provide an alternative source of income for fishers while meeting the growing demand for fish like tuna.
Haeru Rahayu, the director general of aquaculture, sees potential in boosting investment in this sector. However, the transition won’t be easy. Many fishers continue to face financial difficulties, with wages halved over the past five years. Some are seeking alternative work, leaving a once-thriving industry struggling to survive.
