41245

In the roadmap to develop Harvest strategy of BSC in WPP 712, two operation objectives are stated. 1. Increase Spawning Potential Ratio level to 30% in the next five years, at Limit Reference Point of 20%. 2. Improve the blue swimming crab stock above the limit biomass (Blimit) measured based on MSY defined by government. The generation time of BSC is 1.5 to 2 years and the rebuilding timeframe specified is 5 years. It exceeds one generation time. The FIP has envisaged various plans for stock rebuilding like, developing a conservation zone, training in mariculture of BSC so that the fishing pressure is reduced, gear modifications and restrictions, GTK5! and Crab apartment, habitat restoration and enhancement, catch reduction and restocking. The FIP has started implementing these activities and this was enthusiastically discussed in the stakeholder meeting. Regular monitoring is in place to determine whether the rebuilding strategies are effective in rebuilding the stock within the specified timeframe. I feel that the FIP could score 80 in this soon with all the efforts they are putting in rebuilding the stock.