REEF FISH DIVERSITY IN THE BANDA NAIRA ISLANDS, INDONESIA. Andreas H. Muljadi1*, Frederik Rijoly2 and Johannes Subijanto3 1
The Coral Triangle Center Foundation, Jl. Danau Tamblingan no. 78, Sanur Denpasar – Bali 80228, Indonesia 2
Pattimura University, Marine Science and Fisheries Faculty, Jl. MR. Chr. Soplanit, Poka - Ambon, Maluku 97233, Indonesia 3*
The Coral Triangle Center Foundation, Jl. Danau Tamblingan no. 78, Sanur Denpasar – Bali 80228, Indonesia
The Banda Naira islands are located in the coral triangle, rich with culture and natural biodiversity. This assessment aims to provide data on reef fish diversity to help develop a marine protected area (MPA) network in the Banda Naira archipelago. Reef fish diversity in the Banda Naira Islands was assessed during 7 – 14 November 2012 at 20 sites. Underwater observations started at a maximum of 30 meters depth for a combined scuba dive time between 60 – 90 minutes. The Coral Reef Fish Diversity Index (CRFDI) was calculated based on the diversity of six of the most conspicuous and ubiquitous tropical fish families, including butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae), angelfish (Pomacanthidae), damselfish (Pomacentridae), wrasses (Labridae), parrotfish (Scaridae), and surgeonfish (Acanthuridae). Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC) analysis with Bray and Curties distance was determined to measure data dissimilarity among observed sites. In total, 433 fish species from 49 families were observed during this assessment and the CRFDI of the Banda Naira islands was calculated to be 211. The families with the highest number of species recorded were (in decreasing order) the damselfish (Pomacentridae), wrasses (Labridae), groupers (Serranidae), butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae), surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), parrotfish (Scaridae), trevallies (Carangidae), snappers (Lutjanidae), fusiliers (Caesionidae), angelfish (Pomacanthidae), squirrelfish (Holocentridae), triggerfish (Balistidae), and cardinal fish (Apogonidae). These 13 families together accounted for about 73% of the total observed fish species. The AHC analysis showed that most sites in the Banda Naira Islands have similar fish composition. Considering the small surface area of the Banda Naira Islands, the diversity is high, reflecting the important conservation value of this small archipelago which is needed to manage in collaborative management as MPAs network. Banda Naira islands are also being designed to also function as one of MPA learning sites for MPA practitioners and stakeholders in the Coral Triangle region. Key Words: Banda Naira, fish biodiversity, MPA network E-mail:
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