Stock Performance of Leopard Coral Grouper (Plectropomus leopardus) and Orange-Spotted Grouper (Epinephelus coioides) in Saleh Bay, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

The Saleh Bay grouper fishery is under high fishing pressure, and some species are overexploited such as the leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus) and the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). These species are targeted because of their high value. This study aimed to determine the stock performance of these two grouper species in Saleh Bay and identify the factors that influence their stock performance using generalised linear models (GLMs). The results showed that both the leopard coral grouper and the orange-spotted grouper have a long lifespan with 11.02 years and 8.47 years, respectively. In addition, both species show relatively slow growth with k values of 0.26 and 0.34, asymptotic lengths of 74.00 cm and 107.80 cm, and lengths at first maturity (Lm) of 39.83 cm and 55.83 cm. It is important to note that for both species, at least 50 % of the catches are smaller than the size at first maturity (Lm). The ratios of fishing mortality to natural mortality (F/M) were 0.53 and 1.11, and exploitation rates (E) were 0.35 and 0.525. Both species' catch per unit effort (CPUE) fluctuated from 2016 to 2020. The standardised CPUE models showed that types of fishing gear (speargun and hand line), the engine power of fishing vessels, and fishing ground in the utilisation zone are factors that influence these resources. Therefore, for future management, monitoring, and enforcement of size limits, environmentally friendly fishing gear, and improving marine protected areas with 'no take' zones in Saleh Bay are recommended.