Mangroves in Southeast Aru Marine Protected Area

Southeast Aru Marine Protected Area (MPA) is a 114,000 hectares reserve-type national conservation area in Arafura Sea, Maluku Province, Indonesia where the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries managed since 2009. Its mangrove is the largest coastal ecosystem which is important for sustainable fisheries and coastal disaster mitigation. The main objective of this study is to understand the condition of mangrove community, its impact on fisheries and threats to its continuity. Stratified random sampling on three plots of 10 m x 10 m and hemispherical photography are employed on 13 observation sites across four zones. Local fishermen are interviewed about their activities related to mangroves. From 13 observation sites, 19 species from 8 families and 10 genera are identified. The average of mangrove density and its canopy coverage were respectively 2,997 stand/ha and 74.66%. These values can be interpreted as in good condition and moderate coverage (KepmenLH 201/2004). Rhizophora mucronate and Sonneratia alba are the two most dominant species in all observation sites. Local fishermen’s activities in the mangrove area are catching crabs, trap-fishing, and cutting mangrove woods for firewood and/or simple non-permanent housing. Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Phemphis acidula, Rhizophora mucronate and Ceriops tagal are their favourites.