MANAGEMENT OF THE SUSTAINABLE UTILIZATION OF ORNAMENTAL CORAL WILDLIFE ON PULAU KAUNG VILLAGE AS HOBBYIST TOURISM

Abstract

The coral reef ecosystem is one of the biodiversity that the most significant component of coral reefs, namely corals, has been traded in various sizes. Not only beneficial for marine ecotourism, but the current trend is that ornamental coral has become a legal hobby. These hobbyists make coral one of the main components that decorate their aquariums because of their attractive shapes and colors. However, several types of hard corals are included in CITES Appendix II, so their permits and trading activities are stringent. Indonesia has more than 14% of the World's reefs and is known as the coral triangle area, where one of the centers for ornamental coral production is the Bali Strait. One of the suppliers established in 2015 is PT Lombok Samudera Abadi (PT LSA). PT LSA is a supplier of wildlife ornamental coral products in West Nusa Tenggara that fulfills orders from exporters who are members of the Indonesian Ornamental Coral Farmers Association (KPKHN) for exporters in Bali and Banyuwangi and the Association of Indonesian Ornamental Coral and Fish Association (AKKII) for exporters in Jakarta. The purpose of this study was to analyze the level of corals utilization at PT. LSA and its impact on sustainability. The study's results showed the level of utilization of corals by PT. LSA in Pulau Kaung Village delivered an average actual production of 1,862 individuals /month, which means it does not exceed the maximum production value (CMSY = 3,743 individuals/month) and JTB (2,995 individuals/month). The actual corals harvesting average of 133 trips is still below the optimum harvesting effort (EMSY = 211 trips), so this condition still shows that over-exploited has not occurred in the area with a utilization rate of 0.48 which is still in the moderate status, which means that utilization efforts can be increased. There are 36 hard corals and 9 soft corals taken from nature. Besides corals utilization, PT. LSA also engages in CSR activities by offering restocking from corals transplants in particular areas and training for academics or coastal communities. However, not all restocking is successful, primarily because of seasonal factors that can impact the corals' health. In light of this, more investigation is required.