Penilaian Indeks Kesehatan Terumbu Karang di TWP Selat Bunga Laut, Kabupaten Kepulauan Mentawai

Coral reefs condition in the protected marine area at Selat Bunga has decreased every year. The health of coral reefs is represented by coral index health. The purpose of this study was to analyze the coral reefs health index based on the condition of live coral cover, resilience level and condition of coral fish. Retrieval of coral reefs data using the Under Photo Transect Method and coral fish data collection using the Under Water Visual Census. The results of research at 9 research stations found that the average cover of live coral ranged from 1.40 - 44.68%, fleshy seaweed ranged from 0.13% - 12.87%, rubble ranged from 1.73 - 39.40%, and average total reef fish biomass ranged from 8.93 - 253.23 kg/ha. Coral reef health index values range between 3-6. Coral reefs health index of 67% of research stations is 3. The coral health index value 3 is indicated by a low percent live coral cover, a high resilience rate, and a low reef fish biomass.Kondisi terumbu karang di Kawasan Konservasi Taman Wisata Perairan (TWP) Selat Bunga Laut telah mengalami penurunan setiap tahun. Indeks kesehatan karang adalah nilai yang mengambarkan kesehatan karang antar lokasi penelitian. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menganalisis indeks kesehatan terumbu karang berdasarkan kondisi tutupan karang hidup, tingkat resiliensi dan kondisi ikan karang. Pengambilan data terumbu karang dengan metode Under Photo Transect dan pengambilan data ikan karang mengunakan Under Water Visual Census. Hasil penelitian di 9 stasiun penelitian didapatkan persen rata-rata tutupan karang hidup berkisar 1.40- 44.68 %, fleshy seaweed berkisar 0.13% - 12.87%, pecahan karang berkisar 1.73 –39.40 %, dan rata-rata total biomassa ikan karang berkisar 8.93 – 253.23 kg/ha. Nilai indeks kesehatan terumbu karang berkisar antara 3-6. Sebanyak 67% stasiun penelitian mempunyai indeks kesehatan terumbu karang dengan skala 3. Indeks kesehatan karang skala 3 ditunjukkan oleh persen tutupan karang hidup yang rendah, tingkat resiliensi yang tinggi dan biomassa ikan yang rendah