Penentuan Lokasi Penangkapan Ikan Karang di Perairan Kabupaten Kolaka, Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara | Determination of Coral Reef Fishing Area in the Waters of Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi

Ikan karang merupakan ikan yang kerap dijadikan bahan makanan serta sumber mata pencaharian sehingga membuat ikan karang memiliki nilai ekonomis yang cukup tinggi. Namun kondisi nelayan di perairan Kabupaten Kolaka masih menduga-duga lokasi penangkapannya. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengidentifikasi kekayaan jenis dan indeks ekologi ikan karang, menghitung kelimpahan ikan karang yang layak tangkap, serta menentukan daerah potensial penangkapan ikan karang. Penelitian ini berlangsung dari Maret 2024 hingga Juli 2025 dimana pengambilan data lapangnya dilakukan di 5 titik pengamatan pada tanggal 28 Maret – 30 Maret 2024 dengan menerapkan metode Line intercept Transec dan Underwater Visual Census. Analisis yang dilakukan adalah menghitung kelimpahan ikan, komposisi jenis, indeks ekologi, ukuran layak tangkap dan pembobotan untuk menentukan daerah penangkapan ikan potensial. Hasil penelitian tercatat sebanyak 1009 individu ikan karang, terdiri dari 19 famili dan 72 spesies. Indeks keanekaragaman di seluruh lokasi termasuk sedang, indeks keseragaman di MB 2 (Tabelawa) dan MB 5 (P. Maniang) termasuk sedang dengan, indeks dominansi diseluruh lokasi rendah. Kelimpahan ikan paling tinggi 291/250m2, terdapat di lokasi Tabelawa. Komposisi ukuran ikan layak tangkap di seluruh lokasi pengamatan berkisar antara 35%-100%, umumnya lebih tinggi dari yang belum layak tangkap. Seluruh lokasi penelitian merupakan perairan yang cukup potensial (CP) untuk penangkapan khususnya untuk jenis Caesio cuning dan Chlorurus capistratoides.

Reef fish are commonly utilized as food sources and provide significant livelihoods for coastal communities, making them economically valuable. However, in the waters of Kolaka Regency, fishers often rely on guesswork when determining fishing grounds. This study aims to identify species richness and ecological indices of reef fish, estimate the abundance of harvestable individuals, and determine potential reef fishing grounds. The research was conducted from March 2024 to July 2025, with field data collection carried out at five observation points from March 28 to March 30, 2024, using the Line Intercept Transect and Underwater Visual Census methods. Data analysis included calculations of fish abundance, species composition, ecological indices, harvestable size proportions, and weighted scoring to assess potential fishing areas. The results recorded a total of 1,009 individual reef fish, comprising 19 families and 72 species. Diversity indices across all locations indicated moderate diversity, while evenness indices were moderate at MB 2 (Tabelawa) and MB 5 (Maniang Island). Dominance indices were low at all sites. The highest fish abundance was recorded at Tabelawa with 291 individuals per 250 m². The proportion of harvestable-sized fish ranged from 35% to 100% across all sites, generally exceeding the proportion of undersized individuals. All study sites were classified as moderately potential (CP) fishing grounds, particularly for Caesio cuning and Chlorurus capistratoides.