Status of Sustainability of the Utilization of the Rabbitfish (Siganus canaliculatus) in the Seagrass Ecosystem of the West Coast of South Sulawesi

The rabbitfish (Siganus canaliculatus) is a type of demersal fish living near the bottom of the water. This fish is often found in coral reef areas and seagrass beds. Currently, the use of the seagrass ecosystem is limited to fishing activities, which, beside the predators, target the rabbitfish broodstock, causing a decrease in the population of the seedlings. Therefore, it is necessary to develop the rearing activities of the rabbitfish seeds in this ecosystem applying technological innovations and using fixed net cages. However, the sustainability status of this rearing business is under question. Hence, the current research was designed to analyze the sustainability status of the rabbitfish utilization activities in the most extensive seagrass ecosystem on the western coast of South Sulawesi in Pangkep and Barru regencies, which is abundant with the seedlings of  Siganus canaliculatus. To hit this target,  the Rapfish method was implemented. Based on the ecological, economic, social, and technological in addition to the institutional and legal dimensions, the sustainability status of the rabbitfish utilization activities at the study site is generally categorized as quite sustainable, with an average ordination value of 58,54.