Suryono, Ambariyanto Ambariyanto, Munasik, Diah Permata Wijayanti, Raden Ario, Ibnu Pratikto, Nur Taufiq-Spj, Elsa Lusia Lukman, Syahrial Varrel Canavaro, Tiara Anggita, Bayu Kreshna Adhitya Sumarto and Justin Cullen
Abstract
Panjang Island, a small adjacent island of Jepara Regency, is surrounded by a coral reef ecosystem. However, the reefs currently are suffered from high anthropogenic factors along with increasing tourism activity. Therefore, it is important to observe the coral reef diversity and abundance of reef fishes as the touristâs main attraction. Monitoring of coral reefs was carried out by using the line intercept transect (LIT) method while the fishes were observed by UVC (Underwater Visual Census) method. The result showed that the critical level in terms of percentage (%) of coral cover varied from very poor, poor, and medium level. The average critical level fell into the medium category of a percentage of coral cover was 23.21 %. Many factors cause the degradation of coral reefs, namely anthropogenic and natural. The most significant factors that affect the degradation of coral reefs are destructive fishing and coral mining, increasing the turbidity of waters and inhibiting coral growth, then leading to coral death. 1.067 fish numbers were found, which represent 7 families and 14 genera of reef fish. There were 50 (4.6 %) classified as target fish represents 3 genera, 96 (8.91 %) classified as indicator fish represents 1 genus, and 921 (85.24 %) classified as the major fish represents 5 genera. Major fish was dominated by the family of Pomacintridae with 827 fish (76.78 %). Analysis of the Ecological index showed that the diversity index (Hâ) was moderate (1.579) means that the moderate distribution and community of reef fish moderate stability. Homogeneity Index (E) was high (0.848), meaning that the reef fish community is stable. Dominance Index (Câ) fell into low (0.278) and confirmed no genera dominates. Fish distribution has a lower relationship with percent hard coral cover (0.00 - 0.199). The fish abundance (R2 =0.0328), Homogeneity Index (E) (R2 =0.00014), Dominance Index (Câ) (R2 =0.0581) suggests that the distribution of reef fish was not driven by the percentage of coral cover. Overall, the result of the study concluded that the majority of the coral reef in Panjang Island are already damaged, therefore the areal coral reef is hosted only a few fish and has a lower genera diversity of reef fish.