Coral reef health and the distribution of soft coral abundance in Banten Bay

Banten Bay has several islands which also have coral reefs around them. This study was carried out from October 2021-March 2022 at 9 observation points spread across the islands. This study aims to determine the health of coral reefs and the distribution of soft coral abundance in the three islands. Coral reef data was taken through diving at the depth where coral reefs were first discovered at each station, using the Underwater Photo Transect (UPT) method. The observation line transect was stretched parallel to the shoreline for a length of 50 m. The data in the form of photos were taken using a square transect (58 cm x 44 cm) which was placed alternately in each meter. Based on the observation, the presence of soft coral found at Stations 1-8 were 0.21%, 0.99%, 0.70%, 13.89%, 7.61%, 16,80%, 5,78%, and 4,62%, respectively. Fairly large value of abundance was found at Station 4 and Station 6, while small value of abundances was found at Station 1, Station 3 dan Station 2. Based on Decree of Ministry of Environment No. 4 of 2001, the coral reefs around Pulau Panjang are categorized as bad and fair (unhealthy).