The promulgation of Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Regulation Number 12/PERMEN-KP/2020 on Management of Lobster (Panulirus spp.), Mud Crab (Scylla spp.), and Blue Swimming Crab (Portunus spp.) in the Territorial waters of the Republic of Indonesia has implications for the management of lobster fisheries within the Indonesia’s Territorial Waters and Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs). This research aims to outline the current condition of lobster fisheries with the enactment of the ministerial regulation’s KP number 12/2020 on lobster fishery and to analyse the policy gaps regarding the implementation of lobster fisheries regulations. Data were collected within FMA 573 through a structured interview technique using a clustered questionnaire system and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with key informants. The impacts of the regulation were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively using a descriptive approach. The results indicate that the implementation of regulation No. 12/PERMEN-KP/2020 has not resulted in significant increases in income for lobster fishers and traders, in fact rather the reverse. The legalization of juvenile lobster capture has increased the supply, leading to a decrease in juvenile lobster prices. The price per lobster has fallen from IDR 6,000-10,000 to IDR 3,500-4,000, IDR17,500 to IDR 10,000-11,000 andIDR 27,500-30,000 to IDR 16,000-17,000 for fishermen, middlemen and exporters, respectively. The positive impacts on lobster fishers were an increased sense of security since it is no longer illegal to catch and trade juvenile lobsters.

The exploitation of lobster resources in the waters of the Central Lombok Regency, Indonesia is not effectively managed, causing problems in terms of resource availability and sustainability of lobster fishing operations. This study aimed to assess the status of lobster fisheries management and policy strategies for sustainable lobster fisheries management. Data were collected in three lobster fishing centres: Teluk Awang, Teluk Bumbang and Teluk Gerupuk. Methods used were a structured interview technique with questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs) and public consultation. The status of the lobster fishery was analysed using the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) indicators with six Domains. The lobster fishery management status was classified as “moderate” (aggregate score 50/100). The Fisheries Resources Domain scored 35, indicating that lobster stocks are in “poor” condition. Four dimensions had a “moderate” status: the Fisheries Technology Dimension (43), the Economic Dimension (48), the Social Dimension (53), and the institutional dimension (55). The Habitat and Ecosystem Dimensions was classified as “good” (67). Sustainable lobster fisheries management strategies include regulating fishing quotas, banning gears which catch lobster seed, and optimizing the use of selective fishing gear; establishing a working group for lobster management; managing water quality and zonation of lobster habitat; transfer of lobster farming techniques; and empowering community coastwatch groups.