Data-limited stock assessment of yellow striped goatfish (Parupeneus chrysopleuron) from the southern Taiwan Strait

The yellow striped goatfish (Parupeneus chrysopleuron) represents a data-limited stock in the southern Taiwan Strait, posing significant challenges for stock assessment and fisheries management development. Length-based assessment methodologies offer a preliminary approach to estimate stock status through specific reference points. This study utilizes two length-based methods -LBSPR (length-based spawning potential ratio) and LBB (length-based Bayesian biomass method) in conjunction with growth parameters (L_inf, L₅₀ and L₉₅) and various mortality rates (M/K) to evaluate this stock. Stock status is preliminarily assessed via reference points derived from LBSPR and LBB, along with F/M values from conventional mortality estimation methods. Results indicate that all the F/M and spawning potential ratio (SPR) values estimated from three LBSPR scenarios suggest overfishing, whereas LBB scenarios reveal the stock was either overfished or approaching overfishing conditions in 2018. Current management strategies for the yellow striped goatfish stock in the southern Taiwan Strait are deemed inadequate. The methodological approach outlined in this research provides a useful case study for assessing data-limited stock status and offers valuable insights for fisheries management in small-scale Chinese fisheries.