Abstract:
Grouper are highly preferred species for the local Malaysian market as well
as for export. In view of their importance, a study on the population
characteristics and reproductive biology of the grouper was carried out. In
this study, fish samples were collected monthly from Pulau Kambing and
Kuala Dungun landing ports from February 2014 to January 2015. Fish
length and weight was measured and the gonads were macroscopically and
microscopically examined. This study found 7 species of grouper with
Epinephelus areolatus and Epinephelus sexfasciatus were two dominant
species from both landing ports. The CPUE for both species from Pulau
Kambing were lower compared to Kuala Dungun fish landing port.
Meanwhile, the asymptotic lengths (L∞) for both species were higher at Pulau
Kambing than Kuala Dungun. The length weight relationship analysis demonstrated that E. areolatus and E. sexfasciatus from both landing ports
were negative allometric growth. The condition factor, K for E. areolatus from
Pulau Kambing was higher compared to Kuala Dungun landing port.
Meanwhile, the K value for E. sexfasciatus was vice versa. Howerver, the K
values for both species shows that these species are above average
condition.
