Upholding local knowledge for sustainable fishery of the unicorn leatherjacket filefish aluterus monoceros: A case in Malaysia

Abstract

The unicorn leatherjacket Aluterus monoceros (Linnaeus 1758) is a filefish of the family Monacanthidae. Locally known as 'ikan barat-barat' in Malaysia, this species is a demersal fish found in sub-tropical areas around the world at depths that range from 1.0 m to 50.0 m. With lengths measuring up to 76 cm, this species is generally pale gray to gray-brown in color and is equipped with small hairs that cover the skin giving it a coarse texture like sand-paper (Froese and Pauly, 2006). In Malaysia, the fish is locally consumed as grilled fish or asam pedas (a Malay-style cuisine). The country's highest landing of this species was recorded in Terengganu State with Dungun District as the major contributor to the State's filefish landings.