Key elements in the implementation of escape gaps recommendations for the protection of juvenile vulnerable squaretail coralgroupers (Plectropomus areolatus) in Karimunjawa Island

Abstract

IUCN classified squaretail coralgroupers into vulnerable status. If this is ignored, there may be a risk of threatening its sustainability and changing its status to endangered. This condition needs proper regulation concerning juvenile protection. Escape gap recommendations are considered to be the proper solution for this particular issue because juveniles were able to release without reducing fishermen's revenues. When implementing an escape gap, various elements support failure and success. Therefore, it is necessary to know what elements will have an effect so that the program could implement successfully. This study aims to identify key elements in escape gap implementation. The key elements are identified through Interpretive Structural Modelling. This method is carried out systematically by ranking several elements that influence the implementation. The result showed that the implementation of the escape gap required prioritizing key elements. These keys are releasing juvenile grouper with high survivability (objectives), trial use of the escape gap on the trap (activities), worries of income reduction (obstacles), Marine and Fisheries Departments of Central Java (institutions involved), and fishermen (affected communities). These key sub-elements will drive other sub-elements to implement the escape gap in trap fisheries successfully.