By: Muhammad Yusuf (Fisheries Science Coordinator)

The utilization strategy or harvest strategy of fisheries resources is one of the tools of fisheries management. The goal is to improve depleted fishery stocks or maintain good stock condition. The good stock of fisheries resources can be utilized by fishermen as a source of livelihood.

Based on data on potential stocks of fishery resources in 2016, North Sulawesi province's mangrove crab stocks in 2 Fisheries Management Areas (WPP) 716 have shown fully exploited stock conditions, and WPP 715 which has shown over exploitation stock conditions. This means that in North Sulawesi in WPP 716 in the Sulawesi Sea, the addition of the fleet and production of mud crabs cannot increase anymore. Then in the Tomini Bay area in WPP 715, overfishing has occurred so that the mangrove crab fishing fleet must be reduced to avoid further depletion of the resource. The 2015 fisheries statistics in North Sulawesi also show that crab production in North Sulawesi Province has decreased by an average of 3.91% from 2005-2014.

Given these conditions, fisheries stakeholders in North Sulawesi discussed fisheries utilization strategies for mangrove crab resources so that stocks can be restored, as well as maintaining healthy stocks, such as in the Bunaken National Park area. This healthy mangrove crab stock is the location of the fishermen group assistance by FMPTNB, one of the members of JARING-Nusantara, namely on Mantehage Island, North Minahasa Regency, Pinasungkulan Village, Minahasa Regency, and Popareng Village, South Minahasa Regency.

Utilization strategies must have quantitative and measurable management indicators or what can be called input-output. Input is a reference point in the form of the number of fishing fleets that can operate in a management unit in one year, while output is the number of mangrove crabs that can be caught. Muhammad Yusuf, Fisheries Science Coordinator, WWF-Indonesia, presented the results of the mangrove crab stock assessment in the amount of input and output values at the fishing location, namely on Mantehage Island with an input of 51 units of fishing fleet or mangrove crab fishermen, and an output of 13.37 tons per year. Then in Pinasungkulan Village and Popareng Village, which is one stock unit, it shows an input of 39 units and an output of 56.59 tons.

At the event held on December 21, 2017 there were also discussion rooms provided by the committee, such as the idea of marine and fisheries programs in North Sulawesi Province delivered by representatives of DKP North Sulawesi, the topic of mangrove crab ecology explained by Prof. Dr. Winda M. Mingkid from FPIK Sam Ratulangi University and the condition of mangrove crab fishermen assistance in the Bunaken National Park area explained by Hanny Gamis from FMPTNB.

The discussion which was attended by 56 participants was guided by Mr. Ir. Boyke Toloh from Sam Ratulangi University. In the discussion, it was also explained that in carrying out the strategy of utilizing mangrove crabs in North Sulawesi, joint management is needed as a management unit. The management unit of the mangrove crab resource utilization strategy that will be proposed to be involved are:

1. North Sulawesi Provincial Government
2. Fisheries Management Agency (LPP) WPP 716
3. Central Agency of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in North Sulawesi
4. Bunaken National Park Center
5. District/City Governments in North Sulawesi Province
6. Academia/Research Group
7. Village government
8. Fishermen Groups
9. NGOs/NGOs
10. Private

Based on the discussion in this meeting, four recommendations were agreed upon, namely completing scientific data and information related to the North Sulawesi Province mangrove crab utilization strategy document, following up on this meeting by drafting a provincial-level regulation on the Strategy for Utilization of Mangrove Crab Resources in North Sulawesi, drafting regulatory objectives to maintain the sustainability of mangrove crab resources in North Sulawesi, creating a team of fisheries stakeholders for the preparation of North Sulawesi provincial-level regulations, consisting of academics, entrepreneurs, government, community, and media. The team is led by the North Sulawesi Marine and Fisheries Agency.