Stock Status and Fisheries Exploitation of Blue Swimming Crab Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus 1758) in Lasongko Bay, Central Buton, Indonesia

Research on the stock status and exploitation of the blue swimming crab Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus 1758) in Lasongko Bay was conducted from April 2013 to March 2014. Blue swimming crabs were sampled monthly using gillnets and traps. Data on the number of fishermen and crab fishing gear were obtained via census and from secondary data and were analysed descriptively for every sampling period. Total catches of crabs were analysed using one-way ANOVA and t-test at p= 0.05. The status of crab stock was analysed using a Beverton–Holt model. The results showed that the number of fishing gear increased rapidly from 2006 to 2014, but was not proportional to the increases in crab catches, while the number of fishermen declined. The number of fishing gear and catch in 2006 and 2014 were 2,670 and 15,355 units and 44,194.56 kg and 66,926.6 kg, respectively. Daily crab catch were significantly different between the months. Crab stocks have been overfished and are currently considered critical, and thus the implementation of effective management is necessary.