Management Area of Pearl Culture by Carrying Capacity Approach on Coastal Palabusa of Baubau City

Abstract

Pearl oyster is one of high value commodity of fishery sector and it has good prospect in the future business development. Pearl oysters’ culture was limited conducted by big companies, mostly foreign capital investment. In other side, there were some problems which should solved, it was coastal area utilization on big scale without considering the environment suitability and capacity. The aims of this research were to identify the characteristics of waters, determine the suitability value and carrying capacity of water environment for pearl oyster. This research was conducted in Baubau City coastal area from August to November 2019. Biophysical data were collected by field surveys and it were supported by of secondary data. Data analysis of water characteristic, analysis of water suitability and carrying capacity and spatial analysis. The condition of water quality parameters suitable for pearl oyster culture, included: current, suspended solid material, depth, phytoplankton, dissolved oxygen, brightness, salinity, temperature, chlorophyll-a and pH. The result of suitability classes in Palabusa of Baubau City coastal area were divided into three classes, there were very suitable covering 61.23 ha (59.54%), suitable covering 28,8 ha (28.01%) and not suitable covering 12,8 ha (12.45%). Regional carrying capacity was described in pearl cultivation unit on a cultivation period which could be supported by environment. Carrying capacity for very suitable conducted by rope system which covering 36 units and floating rafts were 72 units. Suitable class was conducted by rope system which covering of 18 units and floating raft system were 32 units.