A Concept of Open-Closed Season Approach for Indonesian Blue Swimming Crab (Portunus Pelagicus) Management on the North Coast of Java

Abstract

The open-closed season approach has not been widely used in fisheries management in Indonesia, including blue swimming crab (BSC) fisheries that created ecological and economic balance. This research aims to illustrate the characteristics of BSC fishers, examine the application of the concept of the open-closed season in blue swimming crab fisheries, and predict the sustainability of fishermen's livelihoods. Data collection was conducted in 2020 and 2022 in four regencies: Rembang, Demak, Cirebon, and Lampung. However, Lampung is excluded in 2022. The primary data were obtained from structured questionnaires sent to 520 fishermen and 63 mini plants and collectors, then analysed by descriptive analysis, Likert scale, and business sustainability index. The findings showed that blue swimming crab fishing characteristics at four research sites showed different conditions. Working as fishermen cannot contribute sufficiently to improving the household economy. The factor influencing the blue swimming crab fishing business is the size of the fishing boats. The open-closed season (OCS) policy is worthy of short-term goals consisting of fishermen's welfare and business justice in business actors and long-term goals, namely the sustainability of blue swimming crabs. Institutional schemes are proposed for the OCS model to maintain the sustainability of resources and businesses.