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Understanding the spawning characteristics for future management action of grouper
population

1 Muhammad Nizamuddin Azaman , Rumeaida Mat Piah
* 1

1 Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.

* Corresponding author: p3157@pps.umt.edu.my

Abstract:

Groupers (Serranidae) are one of the important species in the marine culture industry, with juvenile fry
collected from the wild becoming the main source of local supply for grouper fry. To fulfil the demand
from many countries, the grouper population is heavily exploited. The high economic value of grouper
in fisheries has resulted in a significant need for the data to be collected for the future management of
the fish stock. This study aims to observe the spawning characteristics of groupers in Terengganu waters
for better future management action of the grouper population. In this study, monthly observations have
been carried out in Bidong Island, Terengganu, from March 2016 to October 2017 corresponding to the
full moon and new moon of each month as the spawning aggregation is closely related to the moon
phase. The sampling was conducted twice a month following the new moon and full moon phases. The
data collection was made by placing a GoPro underwater camera at two points in the suspected
spawning area two times per day in the morning and at dusk for three days according to the day before,
during the full or new moon, and the day after. We found out that these groupers exhibit certain
spawning behaviours such as courtship and changing body patterns in relation to the moon phase.
During the observation, up to eight groupers were spotted, which is unusual given that they are solitary
and territorial animals, with no more than two found in one area. The high frequency of groupers in one
area can lead to a high probability of over-exploitation due to the high chances of getting caught, and
aggressive management measures should be taken to protect their population.

Keywords: Grouper, Moon phase, Spawning habits, Aggregation, Fisheries management