Habitat Condition and Population of Irrawady Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) in Banten Bay

Posted by Sekilas Peternakan on

Wednesday 4 October 2017

MUTA ALI KHALIFA. Habitat Condition and Population of Irrawady Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) in Banten Bay. Under Supervision of MOHAMMAD MUKHLIS KAMAL, ENAN MULYANA ADIWILAGA and ADRIANI SUNUDDIN.

Irrawady dolphin or pesut (Orcaella brevirostris) is protected animal with the ability to live in waters with different salinities, from fresh, brackish to saline waters. Thus, estuarine waters of Banten Bay may serve as its habitat, scientific data on this anecdotal information is yet to present. Development activities in the coastal area of Banten Bay is highly diverse, from farming, fishery, port until heavy industries, and potential to compromise the lives and habitat quality of Irrawady dolphin in the area. The objectives of the thesis were (1) to study the habitat of Irrawady dolphin in Banten Bay, comprising of water quality, dolphin’s prey quantity and quality; (2) to study spatial and temporal distribution of Irrawady dolphins in Banten Bay, alongwith their interaction with local fishermen. This research was conducted from January 2013 to Februari 2014, located in Banten Bay for dolphin visual assessment, together with dolphin’s prey and water samplings. Water samples were analyzed at Laboratory of Produktivitas Lingkungan Perairan, MSP-FPIK-IPB; and heavy metal in potential preys were analyzed in Laboratory of Analisis Lingkungan, TIN-FATETA-IPB. Spatiotemporal distribution of Irrawady dolphin and its interaction with fishermen was determine by visual assessment, participatory assessment and indepht interviews. Waters quality parameters were evaluated for surface temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate and surface chlorofil-a. Sardine and Squid as dolphin’s potential prey were analyzed using Surplus Production Method for its quantity and for heavy metal risk (Hg and Zn) for its quality. Spatial distribution of Irrawady dolphin in Banten Bay is concentrated from the northeast, central and south of the bay, while temporally its presence can be observed throughout the year. Water quality of Banten Bay was considered as polluted at low to moderate level. Potential dolphin’s prey quantity, analyzed from capture fishing with sardine and squids yields, were declining presumed to be affected by cause, overfishing or pollution. Concentration of Hg in potential dolphin’s prey posed high risk,, while Zn had low-moderate risk. Fishermen in Banten Bay have local wisdom promoting the existence of Irrawady dolphin. Proposed conservation strategy for the Irrawady dolphin in Banten Bay was to arrange spatial use of the area for different types of development and anthropogenic activities by involving different stakeholders, namely defining border area for ship mooring and traffic, supporting fishermen local wisdom, prohibition of sand mining, activities and improving stakeholder participation for sustainable coastal and marine management.

Keywords: Habitat, Irrawady dolphin, Spatio-temporal distribution, Potential prey, Banten Bay.

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