Composition, Catch Rate, and Stock Density of Snapper (Lutjanidae) in Aru and the Arafura Sea

The exploitation of snappers in Aru and the Arafura Sea occurs without any clear rules and controls. This situation could exacerbate the stock and eventually threaten the sustainability of snapper's fishery. This study analyzed the catch composition, catch rate, stock density, and biomass estimation of the Aru and the Arafura Sea snappers. The study was conducted from October 20 to November 20, 2018, using the RV Bawal Putih 03 as part of the Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 718 stock assessment research. The swept area method was used to estimate the red snappers' catch rate, composition, and density. Nine snapper species were found inhabiting the areas that consist of two genera, Lutjanus and Pristipomoides. The catch composition consists of 52.3% L. johnii, 33.1% of L. malabaricus, 8.7% of L. vitta, while the L. lutjanus has the lowest proportion of 0.24%. The red snappers' catch rates vary from 0.2 to 340 kg/hour, and the highest catch rates occur in-depth strata 31 - 40 meters in the north of the Aru Islands and the south of Timika waters. The average density of snapper stock in the Arafura Sea is 448.1kg/ km2, with a total biomass estimation about 428,760.7 tons.