Coral Reefs Management Evaluation at Marine Conservation Area of Biawak Islands of Indramayu, West Java Province

Abstract

The research was conducted in Marine Conservastion Area of Biawak Island of Indramayu, West Java Province. The Marine Conservastion Area is located in the Java Sea, northern part of the Indramayu District which familiar with high pressure from fishings, industries, and other human activities. The objective of the research were to assess condition of coral reefs, to assess role and importance of key stakeholders in the coral reef management and to evaluate current its management and recommend to better coral reef management in the area. I employed Line Intercept Transect, Visual Cencus Methods, Reef Check Benthos, Household interview and Expert interview to collect biophysical and socio-economic data. Coral reefs condition categorized as bad to medium condition with percent coral cover variated among 22,7±5,9% to 45,7±13,2%, 13 families and 39 genuses were found. The density of reef fishes were variated among 5.967±1.767 ind/ha to 20.433±10.355 ind/ha with 85 species and 18 families and the density of benthos were variated among 2.000±1.000 ind/ha to 14.667±14.964 with 29 species and 23 families. Result showed that anthropogenic activities gaves high pressure on coral reef condition. Destructive fishing still practiced around the protected area. Law enforcement, surveillance and monitoring actions were not implemented well. Government institution and private sectors need to be collaborated to create good coral reefs management. Collaboration among stakeholders became the key to successful MPA management. Implementation of management policy need to be focused on protect and conserve coral reefs to restore the condition.