Land Suitability Evaluation of the Brackish Water Shrimp Farming Using GIS, Case Study in Mahakam Delta, Indonesia

This paper briefly described land evaluation of shrimp pond development in Mahakam Delta, discusses its ecological and socio-economic impacts and recommends measures to achieve long term sustainability using Geographic Information System (GIS). The objectives of this research were to know land suitability for brackish water aquaculture and optimal utilazation based on land suitability level. This research was conducted at Mahakam Delta, Kutai Kartanegara Regency; East Kalimantan. Surveys have been done collected primary data, while secondary data was obtained from related institution and needed maps for GIS analysis, with overlying map and primary data in each station observation with considering and assessment scale value of determining land suitability for brackish water pond using AHP method. The result of GIS analysis had been obtained the land suitability at Mahakam Delta, area of highly suitable for shrimp pond was 1,185 ha (3 %), suitable was 32,137 ha (82 %), and not suitable was 5,905 ha (15 %) of 39,226 ha total land area that was studied. It can be concluded the sites with generality were suitable based on potential for pond construction, water availability, and water quality but not suitable with soil quality and infrastructure facilities.