Sex-ratio and First Maturity of Yellowfin parrotfish Scarus flavipectoralis (Schultz, 1958) in Wallace Line, Makassar Strait, Indonesia J Tresnati1, A Tuwo2,3, N Rukminasari1, Irmawati1, Suwarni1, R Aprianto3, P Y Rahmani4
1Fisheries Department, Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia.
2Marine Science Department, Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia.
3Multitrophic Research Group, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia.
4Marine Science Study Program, Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia
Abstract
Herbivorous fish have a vital ecological role in controlling the development of macroalgae in coral ecosystems. Therefore, uncontrolled fishing for herbivorous fish such as Yellowfin parrotfish Scarus flavipectoralis can cause macroalgae blooms to inhibit coral development. This study aims to examine whether there are differences in sex ratio and first maturity in the population of Yellowfin parrotfish Scarus flavipectoralis exploited by traditional fishermen on the Wallacea Line, Makassar Strait, Indonesia. Parameters observed were sex ratio and first maturity. The results indicated differences in sex ratio and first maturity in the 2014 and 2019 catches. This sex ratio and first maturity indicated overfishing in the Yellowfin parrotfish Scarus flavipectoralis, which fishers exploited on the Wallacea Line, Makassar Strait, Indonesia
Keywords: population, herbivores, overfishing, traditional fishing, exploitation