ASSESSMENT OF SAND LOBSTER (PANULIRUS HOMARUS) RESOURCES IN PALABUHANRATU WATERS OF SUKABUMI, WEST JAVA, INDONESIA

Abstract

Lobster fisheries resources are popular food commodities with high economic value. Consequently, lobsters are captured globally and have very high selling prices. Palabuhanratu Bay is one of the lobster fisheries centers in West Java, Indonesia. Sand lobster (Panulirus homarus), one of the lobster species in Palabuhanratu Bay, has experienced a decrease in the catch. This research aims to (1) examine the sand lobster population based on biological aspect and population dynamics aspect; (2) identify the utilization status and management of sand lobster resources. Population parameter was analyzed using the FISAT II program and Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) potential assessment. The results showed that sand lobster carapace length ranged between 30-101 mm with 97.6% carapace length below 8 cm. The growth pattern of sand lobsters was negative allometric. The Lc