KOMUNITAS IKAN KARANG DI PERAIRAN TAMAN WISATA ALAM (TWA) BATUANGUS, KOTAMADYA BITUNG, PROVINSI SULAWESI UTARA REEF FISH COMMUNITY IN THE BATUANGUS NATURE PARK, MUNICIPALITY OF BITUNG, NORTH SULAWESI PROVINCE

Abstract

Research was conducted at 4 point dive sites in TWA Batuangus and 1 tourist sites as a comparison site to see the condition of coral reef ecosystems that include coral cover and reef fish communities' information. Live coral cover obtained generally show in moderate category (25 to 49.9%). Coral genus recorded in 33 transects genus were 27 genera of hard corals and 6 genus of soft corals. Reef fish recorded consists of 195 species of reef fish and 37 families. Locations in the TWA Batuangus which have relatively good conditions, is Batu Beach location where had higher abundance and biomass compared to other locations. Magic Rock seen better than that of TWA Batuangus, based from the condition of coral and targeted fish. This is most likely because the location of TWA Batuangus is the fishing area for the surrounding communities while Magic Rock is became one of the important diving spot in the Lembeh Strait. Reef fish community structure based on ecological indices are in unstable condition (H' were in low to moderate, E were depressed until labile and C were low). The similarity of reef fish species grouping Hall Batuangus separated with other sites because of the characteristics of the location in the form of semi-enclosed bays where the circulation of currents which do not enter into the bay which makes limiting the distribution of coral and fish.