<![CDATA[The small-scale brown-marbled grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) fishery in Taka Bonerate National Park operates under intense commercial pressure driven by the international live reef food fish trade. This study evaluates the multi-dimensional sustainability index and environmental friendliness of three primary fishing gears deployed in the park’s traditional zone: handlines, fish traps (bubu), and spearguns (panah). Monitoring was conducted over 12 months by auditing a total catch sample of 1,042 specimens across three fish landing bases. A socio-technical Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) framework computing a standardized sustainability index (ρ) based on 14 bio-technical and socio-economic diagnostic parameters was established to resolve gear-specific compliance. Handlines achieved a sustainability score of ρ = 83.75% (sustainable category) due to high selectivity for the length at first gonadal maturity (Lm) and minimal structural reef impact. Conversely, both fish traps and spearguns scored lower at ρ = 65.62% (moderately sustainable category). The degraded performance of traps and spearguns is driven by a high catch percentage of immature fish (68.34%) and collateral damage to coral structures caused by illegal compressor-assisted fishing activities. Immediate policy interventions are required, including the mandatory implementation of escape gaps in traps, standardized hook sizes for handlines, and strict community-based monitoring to eradicate destructive fishing practices.]]>
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