Analysis of the Sustainability Status of Mangrove Crab (Scylla sp.) Populations in the Mangrove Area of Bengkalis Regency, Riau, Indonesia

Abstract

The mangrove ecosystem of Bengkalis Regency serves as a critical habitat for the mud crab (Scylla sp.). However, intense exploitation pressure and habitat degradation driven by anthropogenic activities threaten the sustainability of this crustacean stock in the wild. The aim of this study was to analyze the biological characteristics of mud crab (Scylla sp.) populations, evaluate the sustainability status of mud crab resources in the mangrove coastal area of Bengkalis Regency, and formulate adaptive management strategies to support sustainable fisheries management. The research was conducted from April to May 2025 using secondary data from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia and relevant scientific publications. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR), meta-analysis, and Rapfish-MDS approach were employed to assess the sustainability status of mud crab (Scylla sp.) resources. using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and meta-analysis approach based on quantitative secondary data compiled from multiple scientific journals. The multi-dimensional sustainability status (ecological, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions) was adaptively evaluated using the Rapid Appraisal for Fisheries (Rapfish) technique based on Multi-Dimensional Scaling (MDS). Results and Discussion: Morphometric synthesis revealed that the S. serrata population exhibits a negative allometric growth pattern (b<3), indicating that carapace width growth is more dominant than weight gain due to moulting cycles and environmental conditions. The Rapfish analysis showed that the multi-dimensional sustainability index of the Bengkalis coastal area scored 45.3, classifying it under the Less Sustainable category. The economic dimension was identified as the primary vulnerability point with the lowest score (40.4), followed by socio-cultural (44.7) and ecological dimensions (48.7). Statistical validation proved robust, with Stress values of 0.14–0.17 and R2 of 0.94–0.96. Key leverage attributes identified include the fishermen's marketing system (RMS 8.1), ecotourism diversification (RMS 6.9), and the effectiveness of physical mangrove rehabilitation (RMS 1.1). Formulated adaptive management strategies include implementing silvofishery systems, enforcing catch-size regulations under Regulation of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries No. 12 of 2020, and strengthening Community Surveillance Group based on local wisdom.