Application of the Method Evaluation and Risk Assessment Tool for a Small-Scale Grouper Fishery in Indonesia

Management strategy evaluation using the Method Evaluation and Risk Assessment (MERA) platform was used to evaluate management procedures (MPs) for improving the management of the leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus) fishery in Saleh Bay, Indonesia. This grouper is a valuable species currently under high fishing pressure. It is targeted by small-scale fisheries using a wide range of fishing methods; hence, management recommendations are needed to ensure sustainability. A suite of MPs for data-limited conditions were evaluated for their ability to achieve limit and target biomass reference points (B/B-MSY = 0.5 and B/B-MSY = 1, respectively), while maintaining a target yield of at least 0.5 MSY. The simulation results suggest that the currently implemented harvest control rules (HCRs) in Saleh Bay (size limit and spatial closure) may not be effective in achieving the management objective to attain the target biomass reference point due to relatively low compliance with the size limit regulation (320 mm total length) and the very small proportion of existing MPA no-take areas (similar to 2.2%). This study recommends that the fisheries management authority explores the feasibility of implementing the total allowable catch (TAC) and seasonal closure in addition to the existing fishing regulations for P. leopardus in Saleh Bay.