Sustainable aquaculture of a protected species: The case of juvenile humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) around the Anambas Islands

Abstract

Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), also called napoleon fish or “katepas “ in Anambas Archipelago Regency, Indonesia, is a reef fish which commonly found in tropical seas. Napoleon fish exploitation is still getting higher especially in Indonesia. Nevertheless, this species had listed as a protected species by the Indonesian Government as well as enlisted in Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). Following a dialog among Indonesian officials, FAO and CITES, quota permission has been given to the fisherman community of Anambas Regency. This permission was legally allowed the Anambas Fishermen to fishing the napoleon fish juveniles and reared them in floating net cages for 3-4 years to reach commercial size. About 147,000 napoleon fish were estimated to be reared in Anambas Island. The first export of Napoleon fish was recorded in 2018 by one of the Indonesian fish exporters from Anambas to Hong Kong with 1,000 fish or Rp 1 billion worth and equivalent to $ USD 71.4/kg. The aim of this research was to analyse spatial distribution, juveniles abundance and water quality of the Anambas Islands to improve the sustainability of napoleon fish juveniles resources. Juveniles and water quality data were collected during field survey in 2014 and 2015. The abundance of the juvenile was estimated from monthly data recording by fishermen and water samples were measured in-situ. Post to the measurement of the physical and chemical properties, water quality was determined by using the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSF-WQI) based on The Classification of the Index numerical values. The results showed that napoleon fish juveniles were concentrated in several specific locations around Anambas waters. The highest abundance of napoleon fish juvenile was observed in November and December. The waters quality indexes show good and very good conditions for culturing the juvenile in floating net cages. The success in napoleon fish juvenile rearing is a starting point to achieve the fish sustainable aquaculture-based fisheries management. This research concludes that the identified natural rearing areas of juvenile napoleon fish, good water conditions, and improved existing rearing technology might support sustainable ranching-based aquaculture of humphead wrasse in Anambas Islands waters.