Kelimpahan, Pola Distribusi dan Pola Pertumbuhan Kepah Tahu (Meretrix Meretrix) di Perairan Pantai Sialang Buah, Kabupaten Serdang Bedagai, Sumatera Utara

Abstract

Tofu clam (M. meretrix) is a soft-bodied animal (mollusca) that belongs to the bivalves or pelecypoda class. Tofu clam contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid). It is feared that the continuous fishing by the community at Sialang Buah Beach will reduce the population and the resources of tofu clam in the waters of Sialang Buah Beach. This study aimed to determine the value of abundance, the distribution patterns, the growth patterns of tofu clam, This study uses the "Purposive Sampling" method, by determining three station based on activity around the station. 1 st Station was an activity-free area, 2 nd station was a tourist area, and 3 rd station was a fishing boat stopover area. The obtained tofu leaflets were analyzed for abundance by looking at the number of individual tofu leaflets per square meter, for distribution analysis using the morphic index formula, the analysis of growth patterns by calculating the length and total weight of individual tofu leaflets and the relationship between physical and chemical factors in waters with the abundance of tofu leaf using pearson correlation analysis. The research results showed the highest abundance value was obtained at station 1 (1.45 ind/m2) and the lowest at station 3 ( 0.92 ind/m2.) The distribution pattern of tofu clam from each station was classified as clustered. The growth pattern of tofu clam from each station was negative allometric with the value of b < 3, means that the increase in length was more dominant than the increase in weight. And the results of the correlation analysis showed that DO, salinity, and C-organic had a very strong effect on the abundance of tofu clam