Kemunculan Hiu Paus (Rhincodon typus) dan Interaksinya dengan Manusia di Teluk Saleh, Nusa Tenggara Barat | Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) Occurrence and Interaction with Human in Saleh Bay, West Nusa Tenggara

Hiu paus merupakan salah satu jenis ikan terbesar di dunia yang dilindungi secara hukum. Kegiatan wisata hiu paus yang dilakukan di Teluk Saleh menimbulkan dampak negatif bagi kesejahteraan hiu paus. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kemunculan hiu paus (Rhincodon typus) di Teluk Saleh serta mengevaluasi prosedur operasional baku yang sudah beroperasi di Teluk Saleh Kabupaten Sumbawa, Nusa Tenggara Barat. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan melakukan observasi langsung dan wawancara. Data yang didapatkan berupa ID hiu paus, tingkah laku, kegiatan wisatawan, dan persepsi wisatawan dan nelayan. Data yang dikumpulkan menunjukkan bahwa kemunculan hiu paus di Teluk Saleh oleh keberadaan bagan dan ketersediaan pakan. Kemunculan hiu paus di Teluk Saleh terjadi saat pagi dan malam hari, namun didominasi pada pagi hari. Banyaknya pelanggaran yang masih dilakukan oleh wisatawan dan operator wisata memerlukan pemantauan lebih lanjut mengenai menilai prosedur operasional baku di Teluk Saleh, Nusa Tenggara Barat.

Whale sharks is one of the largest fish species in the world and legally protected. Whale shark tourism activities carried out in Saleh Bay have a negative impact on the welfare of whale sharks. This study aims to analyze the occurrence of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in Saleh Bay and evaluate the standard operating procedures that have been operating in Saleh Bay, Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara. This research was conducted by conducting direct observations and interviews. Data obtained in the form of whale shark ID, behavior, tourist activities, and perceptions of tourists and fishermen. The data collected showed that the occurrence of whale sharks in Saleh Bay is driven by the presence of nets and the availability of food. The occurrence of whale sharks in Saleh Bay occurs in the morning and at night, but predominantly in the morning. The number of violations still committed by tourists and tour operators requires further monitoring of assessing standard operating procedures in Saleh Bay, West Nusa Tenggara.