Catch Composition and Size distribution of the spiny lobster (Panulirus spp) Related to Oceanography Parameters of the Southern Coast of South Sulawesi

Abstract

Spiny lobsters (Panulirus spp) are economically important crustaceans due to their value as a food. The spiny lobster caught generally by traps and bottom gillnets sometimes by divers support significant commercial catches along the South Sulawesi coast. The objective of the present study was to analyses Catch composition and Size distribution of the spiny lobster related to oceanography parameters. The study was conducted from March to August 2014 on the south coast of Bulukumba, South Sulawesi. Bottom gillnet was used in this study to catch the spiny lobsters Oceanography parameters such as temperature, salinity, and current velocity were used to relate the lobster catch from the coastal fishing grounds during the fishing season. Catch composition of spiny lobsters consist ofP.ornatus47.5 %, P. homarus25.8 %, P. versicolor 21.2 %, P. penicilatus 11 %. Carapace length of P. ornatus with most of the individuals sized from 41-50 mm, P.homarus51-60 mm, P. versicolor 41-60mm, P. penicilatus41-50 mm. The Oceanography parameters recorded from the fishing ground during fishing period were well within the optimum ranges such as temperature (27-29ºC), salinity (30-31 ‰), and current velocity (004-0.09 m/sec).