impact of fishing gear on the income of artisanal fishers in the east coast of peninsular malaysia

Artisanal fishers usually utilize various types of traditional fishing gear, including nets, rods, and traps. since these choices influence their income, the current study examined how different types of fishing gear affect the income of artisanal fishers on the east coast of peninsular malaysia (ecpm). data were collected through structured interviews with 262 heads of crew, all of whom were artisanal fishers across kelantan, terengganu, and pahang. a set of questionnaires was used to collect the data from october 2023 to february 2024. since artisanal fishers are scattered along the ecpm, the researchers used a random sampling technique. data were analyzed using budgetary analysis and one-way anova. the results indicate that trap fishing yields the highest income due to its ability to capture high-value species with lower operational costs, whereas gillnet and hook-and-line fishing provide moderate earnings. the study underscores the importance of selecting appropriate fishing gear to maximize income while minimizing costs.