Species Composition and Length-Weight Frequency Distribution of Lobsters (Panulirus spp.) Landed on The Puger Coast, Jember Regency, East Java

Abstract

Lobsters are one of the most economically valuable fishery resources, with the majority of catches obtained from marine environments. This study aims to identify and determine the species composition of lobsters based on the fishing gear used by local fishers in Puger Beach, as well as to analyze key biological parameters of lobsters, including the distribution of carapace length and body weight, the length-weight relationship, and sex ratio. Sampling was conducted on lobsters landed at Puger Beach from January to March 2020, resulting in a total of 2,485 individual records containing carapace length, weight, and sex data. Analytical methods included linear regression, class interval analysis, and chi-square tests. Species identification was conducted using the reference by Carpenter and Niem (1998, Volume 2), which confirmed the presence of five Panulirus species landed in the area: P. homarus, P. penicillatus, P. versicolor, P. longipes, and P. ornatus. The composition analysis revealed that the sand lobster (P. homarus) was the most dominant species, with a total of 1,648 individuals. Growth pattern analysis showed a negative allometric relationship, with b-values of 2.8957 (gillnet catches) and 2.8142 (diving with compressor catches). According to Ministerial Regulation No. 56/2016, 41.2% of lobsters were below the minimum legal size based on carapace length, and 27.3% were underweight. The sex ratio of lobsters was balanced at 1:1. However, during the study, 115 egg-bearing female lobsters were still found, indicating non-compliance with Ministerial Regulations No. 1/2015 and No. 56/2016, which prohibit the capture of undersized lobsters and egg-bearing females.