Population dynamics and stock status of spotted sardinella (Amblygaster sirm, Walbaum, 1792) in the Natuna Sea, Indonesia

Small pelagic fish populations have long been exploited by various fishing gears in the Natuna Sea, and since the 1970s, purse seine exploitation has expanded to offshore fishing grounds. Various small pelagic fish species are exploited from these waters including spotted sardinella (Amblygaster sirm). This research was conducted for 22 months, from March 2019 to December 2020. The fish sample was taken from the purse seine fleet’s catch in the fisheries management area (FMA) 711 Natuna Sea and Karimata Strait, which was brought to Pemangkat fishing port in the West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. This paper aims to determine the exploitation status of spotted sardinella in the Natuna Sea as a recommendation material for management policies. The methods used in this analysis are estimated age, cohort, population parameters, and spawning potential ratio of spotted sardinella. The results show three primary cohorts of spotted sardinella in the Natuna Sea, with ages ranging from 9 months to 3.1 years and a maximum attainable age (longevity) of 4.3 years. The asymptotic value (L∞) is 21.79 cmFL in length, with a growth rate (K) of 0.65 per year. The natural mortality rate (M) was 1.19, the total mortality rate (Z) was 2.19, and the fishing mortality rate (F) was 0.99. The exploitation rate (E) was 0.45 and the stock status was still in a sustainable condition. Therefore, the sardinella fisheries can be developed using a precautionary approach and focus on the ecosystem sustainability of FMA 711.