THE ARTISANAL FISHERY OF THE MAHAKAM RIVER FLOODPLAIN IN EAST KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA .1. COMPOSITION AND PRICES OF LANDINGS, AND CATCH RATESOF VARIOUS GEAR TYPES INCLUDING TRENDS IN OWNERSHIP

The Mahakam River floodplain fishery was studied between 1979 and 1990 . With annual catches of 15,000-35,000 t (metric tonnes), it is one of the most productive freshwater artisanal fisheries in Indonesia. Land ings are dominated by one crustacean and 15 fish species, of which fiv e make up more than two-thirds by weight. A negative relationship betw een landed weight and price was obtained for 19 of 24 fisheries produc ts. Average catch rates were determined for 14 gear types. The most ef ficient active gear were handlines, liftnets and castnets (average 162 9-4296 g . gear-1 . hour-1). The best passive gear types were vertical slittraps and gillnets (average 1042-1160 g . gear-1 . day-1). Gear o wnership type changed significantly between 1980 and 1987.