The objective of this research is to inventory groupers species from several Fish Landing Bases of Madura Island, East Java, Indonesia. The method of this research was a field survey that was conducted between May and October 2019. Groupers that have been found were identified based on FAO Species Catalogue (Heemstra & Randall, 1993). This research showed that there were 15 species of groupers from three genera of the family Serranidae was found, that was: (1) Plectropomus (Plectropomus maculatus), (2) Cephalopholis (Cephalopholis cyanostigma, C. boenak), and (3) Epinephelus (Epinephelus fasciatus, E. ongus, E. merra, E. coioides, E. bleekeri, E. heniochus, E. sexfasciatus, E. quoyanus, E. Erythrurus, E. analogus, E. areolatus and E. timorensis). Based on IUCN red list status, most of groupers species conservation status are categorized in least concern (LC), except E. bleekeri and E. quoyanus. E. bleekeri which was categorized into least concern in near threaten (NT), while E. quoyanus was categorized in threatened species (TS). In addition, this research also found a rare case of E. tumorensis presence that originally exists around Eastern Indian Ocean and Eastern Central Pacific. Because of their similar morphology and variable pattern, morphological identification of grouper usually leads to taxonomic confusion, hence for further research, confirmation of molecular identification is needed, especially to provide information to determine the conservation status of groupers.

1. AIP Conference Proceedings 2331, 050021 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0042167 2331, 050021
© 2021 Author(s).
Species inventories and conservation status
of groupers (family Serranidae) from Madura
Island, East Java, Indonesia
Cite as: AIP Conference Proceedings 2331, 050021 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0042167
Published Online: 02 April 2021
Abdul Basith, Abinawanto, Eni Kusrini, et al.
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2. Species Inventories and Conservation Status of Groupers
(Family Serranidae) from Madura Island, East Java,
Indonesia
Abdul Basith1, a)
, Abinawanto1,b)
, Eni Kusrini2
, and Yasman1
1
Department of Biology, Faculty Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Kampus UI Gedung E
Second Floor, Jln. Lingkar Kampus Raya, Pondok Cina, Beji, Depok, West Java, Indonesia.
2
Research and Development Institute for Ornamental Fish Culture, Jln. Perikanan No. 13, Pancoran Mas, Depok,
West Java, Indonesia
a)
Corresponding author: golden_bee46@yahoo.com
b)
abinawanto.ms@sci.ui.ac.id
Abstract. The objective of this research is to inventory groupers species from several Fish Landing Bases of Madura
Island, East Java, Indonesia. The method of this research was a field survey that was conducted between May and
October 2019. Groupers that have been found were identified based on FAO Species Catalogue (Heemstra & Randall,
1993). This research showed that there were 15 species of groupers from three genera of the family Serranidae was
found, that was: (1) Plectropomus (Plectropomus maculatus), (2) Cephalopholis (Cephalopholis cyanostigma, C.
boenak), and (3) Epinephelus (Epinephelus fasciatus, E. ongus, E. merra, E. coioides, E. bleekeri, E. heniochus, E.
sexfasciatus, E. quoyanus, E. Erythrurus, E. analogus, E. areolatus and E. timorensis). Based on IUCN red list status,
most of groupers species conservation status are categorized in least concern (LC), except E. bleekeri and E. quoyanus. E.
bleekeri which was categorized into least concern in near threaten (NT), while E. quoyanus was categorized in threatened
species (TS). In addition, this research also found a rare case of E. tumorensis presence that originally exists around
Eastern Indian Ocean and Eastern Central Pacific. Because of their similar morphology and variable pattern,
morphological identification of grouper usually leads to taxonomic confusion, hence for further research, confirmation of
molecular identification is needed, especially to provide information to determine the conservation status of groupers.
INTRODUCTION
Groupers (belonging to the Serranidae family) is one of the most economically valuable coral fish. Presently, the
market demand for groupers is growing, both domestic and international market demands; both for restaurant
supplies and ornamental fish. As a result, the high demand market for coral fish, for instance in Southeast Asia,
endangers the population of almost all coral fish, in particular some species of fish that potentially trade (commonly
found in Indonesia and Philippines) [1]. Most traditional fishers of groupers, in particular those who have reached
the international export market, have not been able to maintain the balance of the ocean ecosystem, specifically the
groupers' population. On that account, sooner or later, this will threaten the ocean ecosystem which does not only
impact on groupers population but also the entire ocean species as well as the stability of food for groupers [1].
Indonesia is one of the largest countries that supply groupers since 1980 and exported it to several countries,
such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and China. Most of the fishers engaged in fishing activities for groupers fishing in
almost coral reefs in the Indonesian ocean area. Most of them realized that the economic benefits of fishing groupers
were commendable. Therefore, to gain more profit, they managed to fish the groupers [2]. According to a survey
that obtained from 700 restaurants in Hong Kong and Southern China, the result shows that the retail price of live
fish groupers was higher than the wholesale price. The survey also reported that the wholesale price of humpback
groupers in Hong Kong was US$ 60.2 while the retail price was US$ 92 [3].
The 2nd Science and Mathematics International Conference (SMIC 2020)
AIP Conf. Proc. 2331, 050021-1–050021-7; https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0042167
Published by AIP Publishing. 978-0-7354-4075-3/$30.00
050021-1

3. In the ocean, groupers rely on coral and reef to live. Most of the species of groupers live longer and grow slowly.
Although most of the groupers produce a great number of eggs each year, yet the growing population of groupers is
relatively long. Thus, in the ecosystem, when the fishers carry out massive fishing activities, the population of
groupers will be significantly depressed [1]. Massive fishing activities are commonly due to the economic profits of
the groupers who fish on the market. Unfortunately, the large-scale fishing activities of groupers not only catch adult
and young groupers but also its fish eggs for mariculture. Not to mention, fishers are engaged in large-scale fishing
activities in most areas to catch young fish to meet market demand. Although the groupers can fish seed, the trade in
illegal seeds is more profitable [1].
Not to mention, groupers are the primary marine commodity in the Madura Islands, East Java, Indonesia. The
fishing seasons of the groupers are between August and March, with peak fishing seasons between April and July.
The fishing potential of the groupers around Madura is 158.9 tonnes, with the optimum fishing activities carried out
by the fishers during 1179.166 trips [4]. Unfortunately, the exploitation by fishers during fishing activities is
relatively high, particularly in spawning areas. As a direct consequence, it harms the coral reef as a habitat for
groupers or other biotas. If it continues unabated, it will eventually have an impact on the population of groupers
fishing around Madura Island [5][6]. Therefore, it requires conducting field surveys to inventory the groupers
species living in the ocean around Madura Island. This inventory of each groupers species is required to further
illustrate the current condition of the population which is related to the latest conservation status. This research will
further serve as a basis of future research that is oriented to groupers conservation based on morphology and
molecular approaches.
METHOD
This research was carried out using a field survey design to inventory the species of groupers fished around
Madura Island. Madura Island is geographically closed to the Java Sea in the eastern and northern parts, closed to
the Madura Strait in the southern and western parts (see Figure 1). This research was conducted between May and
October 2019. This survey was conducted in the Fish Landing Bases in Madura Island, which are located in four
regions: Bangkalan, Sampang, Pamekasan, and Sumenep. The location of Fish Landing Bases is listed in the
following Table 1. The population taken in this survey was the species of groupers in Madura Island and the sample
was the groupers that were caught by the local fishers and brought to the fish landing base.
TABLE 1. Survey location
No. Regency Fish Landing Base Map Coordinates
1. Bangkalan Banyusangkah 60
52’59.42”S
1130
1’45.58”E
2. Sampang Camplong 70
13’4.61”S
1130
20’28.83”E
Ketapang 60
53’31.27”S
1130
16’47.95”E
3. Pamekasan Branta Pasisir 70
13’26.38”S
1130
26’55.41”E
Pasean 60
53’31.36”S
1130
34’32.03”E
4. Sumenep Prenduan 70
6’34.52”S
1130
40’35.55”E
Dungkek 60
58’45.36”S
1140
5’56.12E
Ambunten 60
53’16.82”S
1130
44’17.68E
050021-2

4. FIGURE 1. the map of Madura Island and the survey location points [7]
The grouper samples were obtained from fishers’ fishing activities at each Fish Landing Base. The sampling
technique used was purposive sampling. The grouper samples that have been found were then documented,
identified, and classified descriptively using the FAO Species Catalogue Vol. 16 Grouper of the World and the
Fishbase online database [8][9]. The determination of the conservation status of each species found referred to
publications in the IUCN Red List and Fishbase online database [9].
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Grouper research on Madura Island shows that there are three genera which divided into 15 species, namely: (1)
Genus Plectropomus (consisting of Plectropomus maculatus), (2) Genus Cephalopholis (consisting of
Cephalopholis cyanostigma, C. boenak), and (3) Genus Epinephelus (consisting of Epinephelus fasciatus, E. ongus,
E. merra, E. coioides, E. bleekeri, E. heniochus, E. sexfasciatus, E. quoyanus, E. Erythrurus, E. Analogus, E.
areolatus, and E. timorensis). According to the IUCN Red List, the conservation status of most grouper species
found are categorized as least concern (LC), except E. bleekeri and E. quoyanus. The conservation status of E.
bleekeri is least concern (LC) in near threatened (NT), while E. quoyanus is included in the threatened species (TS)
category. The detailed data is presented in Table 2.
TABLE 2. Grouper species founded in Madura Island and its conservation status
No. Species Figure Species Name IUCN
Conservation Status
1. Plectropomus maculatus LC
2. Cephalopholis cyanostigma LC
050021-3

5. TABLE 2. (continued).
No. Species Figure Species Name IUCN
Conservation Status
3. Cephalopholis boenak LC
4. Epinephelus fasciatus LC
5. Epinephelus ongus LC
6. Epinephelus merra LC
7. Epinephelus coioides LC
8. Epinephelus bleekeri NT
9. Epinephelus heniochus LC
050021-4

6. TABLE 2. (continued).
No. Species Figure Species Name IUCN
Conservation Status
10. Epinephelus sexfasciatus LC
11. Epinephelus quoyanus TS
12. Epinephelus erythrurus LC
13. Epinephelus analogus LC
14. Epinephelus areolatus LC
15. Epinephelus tumorensis LC
Annotation: Conservation status was obtained from www.iucnredlist.org and www.fishbase.org [1][9]. LC = Least
Concern, NT = Near Threatened, TS = Threatened Species
IUCN Red List monitors progress in biological diversity and biodiversity conservation activities through the
assessment and recognition of individual species, as well as seeking a solution to the issue. The biodiversity
assessment is used to determine the risk for possible extinctions based on historical events and forecast future
patterns. This evaluation helps to decide the importance of the interventions most important and to recognize the
greatest threats [1]. In general, groupers have more than 1000 species, most of which are important for commercial
050021-5

7. needs and fair widely studied. The requirements of the IUCN Red List were used on 163 species to classify major
threats to the grouper. The Red List estimate indicates that 20 species (12%) are at risk extinction if existing trends
persist, while 22 other species (13%) are at risk extinction status. Southeast Asia has a variety of endangered
species. Not to mention, a variety of species have not yet been described and many other areas are in the Near
Threatened category. Though 30% of all species were included in the data deficiency [1]. The Caribbean Sea, the
coast of Brazil and Southeast Asia contain a disproportionate number of Threatened species, while many poorly
documented and Near Threatened species are found in many regions [10].
Threatened species and Near Threatened species are conservation status aimed at species that might be in an
endangered or near endangered state. Least Concern is a category of IUCN for species that have been evaluated but
not included in any category. Although most grouper species are included in the Least Concern, if it is not taken into
account contemplatively, they will be categorized into Threatened without being noticed. E. bleekeri and E.
quoyanus in this study are the two species with the highest level of conservation status. Accordingly, it should be
paid attention to both the species while carrying out fishing to avoid overfishing that damages the population later.
Both Near Threatened and Threatened species, such as E. bleekeri and E. quoyanus, it should be recognized that
some facets of grouper biology and ecology are the key reasons for supply-side scarcity or reaction to overfishing.
Then perhaps, the single most significant biological factor that leads to the deterioration of groupers is their
reproductive biology. A few species are especially at risk because, in addition to fishing pressure, their geographical
ranges are limited or rare and highly valued [10]. The result of this research also found E. areolatus species around
Madura Island, this is in line with the result of the previous research [11]. This research also found a rare case of the
presence of E. tumorensis species around Madura Island. This species is originally from Eastern Indian Ocean
(Western Australia) and Eastern Central Pacific (American Samoa and the Phoenix Islands) [9]. However,
morphological approaches are not enough since there is a high degree of morphological confusion between
groupers, so that the presence of E. tumorensis in this research still need confirmation through molecular biology
approaches.
One of the fundamental problems for initiating grouper conservation is identification at the species level. Several
species have a high degree similar to morphologically, making it difficult for researchers to distinguish certain
species [6]. Based on this fact, the identification of grouper species is not sufficient to just take a morphological
approach but also requires confirmation using the molecular biology approach. A comprehensive approach will
assist to reduce the confusion and misidentification of the grouper species taxonomy found in Indonesia. The
identification of grouper to the level of this species becomes important for proposing the Grouper Protection Act in
Indonesia for sustainable conservation.
The IUCN stipulates that the Red List evaluations shall be accurate for only 10 years. Nevertheless, despite
recent patterns in population losses for several grouping animals, 10 years could be too long to wait. Frequent
and regular evaluations are required to reliably represent the position of a species based on its risk of extinction [10].
Complete information about grouper can not only help the assessment of the IUCN Red List but also help the
conservation and management of these types of grouper. New information, specifically about the grouper taxonomic
position, is needed to refine previous information and underlie further research in the future. The speed of decline in
the number of grouper species is very worrying. It is feared that the local population will soon become extinct within
a few years. If conservation steps are not taken immediately, it will have an impact on normal spawning habits,
genetic diversity will decrease, and global grouper population density will drop to a critical point where species
recovery will be difficult. The easiest step is to conserve the ecosystem and all species in it from the pressure of
fishing and habitat destruction [9].
CONCLUSION
This research showed that there were 15 species of groupers from three genera of the family Serranidae was found,
that was: (1) Plectropomus (Plectropomus maculatus), (2) Cephalopholis (Cephalopholis cyanostigma, C. boenak),
and (3) Epinephelus (Epinephelus fasciatus, E. ongus, E. merra, E. coioides, E. bleekeri, E. heniochus, E.
sexfasciatus, E. quoyanus, E. Erythrurus, E. analogus E. areolatus, and E. timorensis). Based on IUCN Red List
status, most of groupers species conservation status are categorized in least concern (LC), except E. bleekeri and E.
quoyanus. E. bleekeri which was categorized into least concern in near threaten (NT), while E. quoyanus was
categorized in threatened species (TS). In addition, this research also found a rare case of E. tumorensis presence
that originally exists around the Eastern Indian Ocean and Eastern Central Pacific, but a confirmation through
molecular biology approaches is needed. Because of its morphological similarity, a molecular approach is needed as
050021-6

8. a confirmation, specifically for the grouper taxonomic position which is needed to refine previous information and
underlie further research in the future.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to send our greatest gratitude to the Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and
Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, for supporting this research as part of dissertation research. Also, the
authors would like to thank the editors and the reviewers whose knowledgeable suggestions and comments
improved this paper.
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to Date (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome (IT), 1993).
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