Assessment of the Fish Stock Status of the Spangled Emperor Lethrinus nebulosus Along the Coast of Balochistan, Pakistan

The sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in Pakistan was assessed using the catch-based Monte Carlo method (CMSY) and the length-based Bayesian biomass (LBB) method to evaluate the data-limited fishery of the Spangled Emperor, Lethrinus nebulosus. CMSY relies on catch data, resilience parameters, and quantitative stock status metrics, while LBB exclusively uses length–frequency (LF) data for stock assessments. This study utilized twenty-two years of catch–effort and LF data from 7230 fish along the Balochistan coastline in Pakistan. The study revealed that the relative biomass of the exploited stock, with a B/BMSY ratio of 0.557, indicates significant depletion. The relative exploitation rate (F/FMSY = 2.47) confirms that the stock is being severely overfished. The discrepancy between the optimal length at first capture (Lc_opt = 43.1 cm) and the length at first capture (Lc = 38.8 cm) further proves the overexploitation of L. nebulosus. The convergence of findings from both methodologies strengthens the reliability of stock status estimates. By integrating diverse data types and analytical frameworks, this study provides valuable insights into the sustainability of L. nebulosus populations. This dual approach not only underscores the importance of varied data sources but also informs management strategies for effective fisheries conservation, contributing to a deeper understanding of resource dynamics along the Balochistan coast of Pakistan.