Length-based stock assessment of the pacific yellowtail emperor in the Southern Sulawesi, Indonesia

Pacific yellowtail emperor, Lethrinus atkinsoni Seale, 1910, is one of the most targeted reef fish species in Southern Sulawesi, Indonesia. Therefore, assessing its stock is important to understand the condition of the population, providing valuable inputs for sustainable fisheries management in the area. Here we assess the stock condition of L. atkinsoni in Southern Sulawesi, Indonesia, using the length-based spawning potential ratio model. A total of 4,887 individuals were collected from commercially small-scale fishers from January to October 2022. The total length, sex, and gonad maturity of the individuals were examined. We observed that the fish length ranged from 10.5 to 39.5 cm, with an average length of 23.3 cm. The sex ratio was equal (1:1.2) between male and female individuals. Length at first maturity and length at first capture were 23.4 and 19.6 cm, respectively. In addition, we observed a growth coefficient of 0.45/year, with an asymptotic length of 41.14 cm and natural mortality of 0.6/year. Based on these life history parameters, we observed the spawning potential ratio (SPR) value of 12%, indicating an unsustainable fishery level (SPR of < 30%). Further concerns related to the sustainability of the species and strategy to rebuild stock of the L. atkinsoni in Southern Sulawesi are of utmost importance.