Improving the Understanding of Small-Scale Grouper and Snapper Fisheries in Saleh Bay-West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia to Enhance Their Management

Yudi Herdiana

Groupers (Serranidae: Epinephelinae) are a crucial component of fisheries in coastal tropical and sub-tropical regions, providing essential protein and supporting livelihoods. While global landings of grouper have been steadily increasing, with China and Indonesia contributing over 60% of the total catch, challenges persist in managing their stocks, particularly in small-scale fisheries in developing nations. This study aimed to propose an effective management strategy for key grouper species in Saleh Bay, Indonesia by addressing knowledge gaps and using evaluating management options. Specifically, this involved understanding the dynamics of these fisheries, including fishing methods and the composition of their landings, examining the life history and stock condition of a key but previously data-poor grouper species, i.e. brown-marbled grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus, and critically evaluating various management strategies using the Method Evaluation and Risk Assessment (MERA) tool. Findings reveal that 57.7% of the total catches of small-scale reef and demersal fisheries in Saleh Bay consisted of grouper and snapper (Lutjanidae). The fishery is complex with eight fishing methods employed catching 75 species. Four species, namely the leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus), orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides), spotted coral grouper (Plectropomus maculatus), and malabar blood snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus) were primarily targeted, using three main fishing methods, i.e., bottom longline, speargun, and handline, together accounting >90% of the total catch. The composition of catches using these methods changed significantly with fishing depth, season, and/or year. Fishing activities follow a temporal pattern influenced by monsoonal seasons, and fishers utilized specialized tactics to target high-value species for maximum profit. Preliminary biological studies and data from the fish landing monitoring program were used to re-evaluate the spawning potential ratio (SPR) of E. fuscoguttatus. This is one of 12 species targeted for management in Saleh Bay, and of concern as the SPR was previously estimated to range from only 0.05 to 0.07, well below the reference SPR limit of 0.20 and target of 0.30. New estimate of L50 (length at which 50% of the population is mature) was derived which is ~100 mm smaller than the previous estimate. This new L50 estimate, when combined with the length-based SPR, yielded higher SPR estimates (0.11 to 0.25), although still below the target SPR. Finally, the study employs the MERA approach to assess management procedures for P. leopardus in Saleh Bay. Results indicated that the current size limit and spatial closure regulations may be ineffective due to low compliance and the limited extent of no-take zones within marine protected areas in Saleh Bay, which are smaller than the home-range of this species. Recommendations for enhancing the sustainability of grouper and snapper fisheries in Saleh Bay include exploring total allowable catch controls, implementing seasonal closures to limit fishing efforts, strengthening existing regulations, and conducting further studies on life-history aspects and stock assessment. In summary, this study underscores the significance of thoroughly understanding the dynamics of small-scale fisheries and the necessity for adaptive management strategies that align with specific local contexts. Sustained collaboration among researchers, fisheries managers, and stakeholders is crucial for tackling management challenges and enforcing effective management to ensure the sustainability of the fisheries. Additional emphasis should be placed on research and capacity-building aimed at enhancing data collection, improving stock assessments, and refining management strategies, all aimed at advancing the longterm resilience of small-scale fisheries in Saleh Bay.

Improving the Understanding of Small-Scale Grouper and Snapper Fisheries in Saleh Bay-West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia to Enhance Their Management

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