Sustainability Status of Spiny Lobster (Panulirus sp.) Fishery in Latuhatat Waters, Ambon Island, Indonesia

Abstract

Research to study sustainability and harvesting practices of rocky lobster Panulirus sp. at Latuhalat Water of Ambon Island was carried out between March to May 2014. Questionnaire was distributed to local lobster fisher and some local people considered to know the fishery well. Direct field observation was also carried out to study harvesting practices. Rapfish multi dimensional scaling analysis method was used to study lobster fishery sustainability whilst descriptive statistics was used to study harvesting practices. This study showed spiny lobster average sustainability was fair (45.18%) with economy sustainable dimension was even less (31.72%). The lobster fishery is still viable, but the production is steadily decline. No formal and informal (indigenous knowledge) fisheries management exercised in this spiny lobster fishery.