COMPARATION OF SPINY LOBSTER (Panulirus Sp.) POPULATIONS FROM BANTUL AND CILACAP, CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA

Spiny lobster is known as a marine organism which is one of the popular seafood and has a high price. As a result, many lobsters are caught by fishermen. This study compares the spiny lobster captured from two different areas in southern coast of Central Java, namely Bantul and Cilacap. Samplings were done with nets which are usually used by fishermen. Further identification of the species was done, as well as the length and weight measurements. The results showed that the lobsters caught were dominated by Panulirus homarus. Most lobsters caught in the small size category. These results raise the concern of impending shortages of spiny lobster in nature. It also suggests that an integrated resource management is needed to sustain the natural population and to meet the high demand of spiny lobster.