Bohari (second from right) releasing a lobster into the sea near Tanjung Penyusop, Kota Tinggi.
THE Fisheries Department wants to increase lobster production to 400 tonnes a year in the next decade through its conservation efforts.
The department’s fisheries conservation and protection division senior director Bohari Leng said the department had set up the Lobster Refugia Action Committee in Pengerang, Sedili in Kota Tinggi, and Tanjung Leman in Mersing.
“The last time we recorded 400 tonnes of lobster a year was 20 years ago. Now we can only get about 100 tonnes a year.
“The lobster population is rapidly declining, particularly on Johor’s east coast and in the Johor Straits.
“In order to achieve our target, we have introduced the refugia committee, where the fishermen will have to comply with the regulations set by the department when it comes to catching lobster,” he said when contacted.
The committee comprises department officers, fishermen and non-governmental organisations.
Bohari said the new regulations required fishermen to release any mud spiny lobsters in their catch that were less than 6cm carapace (shell that covers the head and thorax) each in length.
“Lobsters reach their sexual maturity at a size of 6cm and it takes them three years to reach this. Those that are smaller than 6cm must be released so that the lobsters can breed at least once before being caught.
“Any female lobster carrying eggs must also be released back into the ocean to reproduce.
“This will also ensure the population can recuperate and ensure a sustainable source in the future.
“Although large lobsters can lay up to two million eggs, the number of hatchlings that grow to adulthood is extremely low,” he said.
He added that the lobsters’ mating period was between August and September.
The catch-and-release approach is being applied throughout the east coast of Johor.
The department will also introduce an off-season for lobsters, where trawlers are not allowed to catch lobsters within a designated area near Tanjung Leman from December until the end of February every year, said Bohari.
“The no-catching zone is about 1,400sq km where fishermen are not allowed to catch lobsters. This is to protect the mature lobsters and their habitat.
“The Lobster Refugia Action Committee will also have the authority to set a premium price for lobsters, as these crustaceans are considered a high-end seafood.”
He said the mud spiny lobster was the dominant species in peninsular Malaysia.
Johor is selected as the conservation area because the species is widely found in its east coast area, he elaborated.
“The species is found in abudnance from the Johor Straits up until Pulau Tioman.
“There are reports of lobsters being found in west coast waters such as Muar, but the numbers are not significant,” he said.
Bohari said the main threat to the population was development, so the department had introduced conservation measures to counter the impact and ensure the survival of this marine animal.
“We have a marine park and no-catch areas in Johor, and we hope this will provide enough space for lobsters to take cover, reproduce and grow,” he said.
So far, the new regulations, which were implemented starting this year, have been widely accepted by the fishermen.
The department had conducted regular awareness programmes last December before listing them as new regulations under the fishing licence.
“We wanted to spread awareness first and from our surveillance, the fishermen have long practised the catch-and-release method on their own, which is a good sign,” said Bohari.
“Once we have managed to increase the population by a significant amount, we plan to introduce breeding facilities, but this will come later down the road.
“For now, we will continue with our programme of releasing baby lobsters into the ocean,” he said, adding that strengthening the stock was department’s main agenda.
Sultan Iskandar Marine Park resource management and protection chief Nur Afifah A. Rahman said the public also played an important role in maintaining the species, by refusing to eat baby lobsters.
“There is currently a trend where baby lobsters are offered in seafood restaurants.
“Restaurant owners claim that there is a demand for them because they are cheaper and the stock is easily available.
“This is wrong and can set back all the efforts we have put in,” she said, hoping the public would be more aware of the importance of allowing the species to breed and replenish stocks.
