Population Structure and Habitat Condition of Lola Snail (Trochus Niloticus. Linn) at East Coast, Saparua Island, Saparua Subdistrict, Central Maluku District

Abstract

Lola Snail (Trochus niloticus) was an organism threatened to extinct due to excessive exploitation. In addition to the higher usage rate of lola snail, the catch of fish around habitat of lola snail was also the cause of the decreased population of the snail. Therefore, information about population structure and coral reef condition which became the habitat of lola snail was absolutely important. Research was conducted at eastern coastal waters of Saparua Island, Saparua Subdistrict, Central Maluku District, from January to June of 2010. The sampling of lola snail and the observation of coral reef were using Line Intercept Transect (LIT), while the identification of age structure was using FISAT II Version 0.3.1. Result of research indicated that the potentiality of lola snail resources at eastern coast of Saparua Island was 7,749,111 individuals. Maximum catch rate was 3,874,555 individuals. The allowable catch rate was 3,099,644 individuals. Asymptote length (L ) and coefficient of growth (K) for lola snail were 0.52 per year. K-value indicated fast growth rate at short age, which was 16 months or 1.4 years. Total Mortality Rate (Z) was 2.66, while natural mortality (M) was 1.39. Catch mortality (F) was 1.27, and optimum exploitation rate was 0.48. Coral reef condition in eastern coast waters at Saparua Island was ranging from moderate to good condition.