Analisis Pengelolaan Terumbu Karang pada Kawasan Konservasi Perairan Sawo – Lahewa dan Perairan Sekitarnya Kabupaten Nias Utara Provinsi Sumatera Utara

Abstract

The conservation area is intended to protect marine coastal habitat, particularly coral reef resources. The designation of Sawo-Lahewa as a Marine Protected Area in 2017 by the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries is aimed to conserve the coral reef ecosystem from over exploitation: nonetheless, coral cover is decreasing. This phenomenon becomes particularly alarming because the coral reef is a home and shelter for marine life, as well as the source of income for fishermen and those living along the shore; also, it is critical to protect coastal areas from the waves. This study aims to analyze the condition of coral reefs and challenges in managing the Marine Protected Area of Sawo-Lahewa, North Nias, as well as to develop strategy for coral reef resource management using Rapfish. The average percentage of coral cover is 26.65%. The average fish abundance is 98 individuals/350m2 and the abundance of baby coral colonies is 10.23 colonies/m2, the abundance of megabenthos is 246 individuals/m2 in a condition that the marine condition is fair. The management of coral reef ecosystems in the Sawo-Lahewa Marine Protected Area Zonations (KKPD) and TWP (Marine Tourism Park) is in the condition of less sustainable (49.56). The ecology dimension falls into the fairly sustainable category, with the highest score index of 76.22%. The social dimension is fairly sustainable at 58.59%. The institutional dimension is fairly sustainable at 50.59%. However, the economics dimension has the lowest score index (39.59%). placing it in the less sustainable category. The coral reef management strategy can be performed by conducting a rehabilitation program for the coral reef ecosystem, designing a structured and organized strategy for coral reef management. conducting institutional development and mentoring for the coastal fishery businesses, supervising, researching, training, and developing infrastructure, and developing the marketing aspects of fish catch, giving full trust to the community living near the shore to be independent and responsible to protect the coral reef resource.