Ecological Features of Semau Island, East Nusa Tenggara for Seaweed Culture (Kappaphycus alvarezii) During the West Season

Abstract

The development of seaweed culture in Semau Island depends upon the ecological features, especially during the rainy season, where wind and current are pretty critical. Selecting the appropriate location is crucial for the success of seaweed production. Land suitability analysis is an essential stage in the development of seaweed cultivation. The measured parameters were temperature, salinity, wave height, current velocity, nitrate, dissolved oxygen, pH, and chlorophyll. This research aims to identify potentially suitable areas, measure effective areas, and estimate production for seaweed cultivation in Semau Island, Kupang Regency. This research aims to identify potential areas suitable for seaweed culture in Semau Island, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Timur. The survey method was used to determine the water conditions, and the Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to assess the potential seaweed area using a geospatial model approach. The research results showed that the suitability and potential of the waters around Semau Island for seaweed culture were classified as Less Suitable (LS), covering 11.08ha, Suitable (S), covering 2,295.74ha, and Highly Suitable (HS), covering 1,221.03ha. The potential area used for seaweed cultivation is around 20% of the total suitable area, which is 703.3ha with a potential total production of 70.33tons per cycle. It means that that area minimum could produce 281.32tons/year.