Fisheries Management of Blue Swimming Crab (Portunus pelagicus) based on Zoning Area in Pangkep Waters, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Blue swimming crab Portunus pelagicus is one capture fisheries commodity which offers promising prospects in Pangkep Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. This study aimed to determine the fishery management of blue swimming crab based on spatial zoning areas. The research was conducted between April-November 2016 and May-November 2017 in the coastal waters of Pangkep Regency. Primary and secondary data were collected and analysed for water suitability and zonation using mapping and geographic information system analysis (GIS). The water quality parameters were: dissolved oxygen (1.5-11.0 mg/L), temperature (31-37 °C), salinity (9.0-31.0 ppt) and pH (6-8). The fishery management of blue swimming crab was classified into two integrated zoning area types: conservation zone (56,855 Ha) and commercial blue swimming crab fishery zone (36,153 Ha). However, the conservation zones are opened to the commercial fishery at certain times outside the critical periods for blue swimming crab reproduction. These critical periods are the zoea, megalopa and juvenile crab phases which occur from May to October, with an annual spawning peak in August. Fishing is not allowed in the conservation zone during the critical periods in order to accommodate sustainable exploitation. The findings were based on data analysis of water quality suitability, existing environmental conditions, fishing grounds, and the life cycle of blue swimming crab, overlaid on the 2013 zoning plan for the coastal area and small Islands in Pangkep Regency.