Studies on Coral Reefs Condition and Reef Fishes Community at the Biawak Island and its Surrounding Marine Tourism and Conservation Area, Indramayu District, West Java Province

Abstract

Marine Conservation area which is well protected will be ecologically gives positive impact on the abundance and biomass of target species and non-target fish in the area and the surrounding areas (Polunin et al. 1993). The declaration of Biawak Island and Surrounding Areas as a marine conservation area based on the Head of Indramayu District Government Decree number 556/Kep.528- Diskanla/2004 issued on April 7, 2004 on the establishment of Biawak Island and Surrounding Areas as a Marine Conservation Areas and Tourism, one of whose objectives is the protection of habitat and population, is expected to maintain the condition of ecosystems and provide a positive impact on marine resources both ecological, economic, and social. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the establishment those areas on coral reef and reef fish communities by studying condition percent cover of coral reef, reef fishes species diversity, abundance and fish biomass. Results showed that there are decrease number of coral reefs percent covers and the low biomass of fish in that the region.