Analysis of two whale shark watching destinations in Indonesia: status and ecotourism potential

Abstract

Abstract. Djunaidi A, Jompa J, Nadiarti N, Bahar A, Tilahunga SD, Lilienfeld D, Hani MS. 2020. Analysis of two whale shark watching destinations in Indonesia: status and ecotourism potential. Biodiversitas 21: 4511-4523. Botubarani in Gorontalo, on the northern coast of Tomini Bay and Labuhan Jambu in Teluk Saleh, Sumbawa recently became whale shark tourism destinations in Indonesia. Both sites offer visitors opportunities to interact with whale sharks, either watching from canoes or snorkelling and diving. In this study, we investigated the status and ecotourism potential of whale shark watching as a form of marine wildlife tourism development in eastern Indonesia by examining the existing operations in both sites. Data were collected using questionnaires administered to local community members and visitors to understand their perceptions, and how this opportunity was valued. Secondary data were collected to explore and understand influencing factors. Findings revealed that whale sharks commonly emerge near bagan lift-nets and other interactive areas as a response to the presence of their favorite prey, anchovies, and rebon shrimp. In general, whale sharks most commonly visit bagan lift nets and can be found in the interaction areas in the morning and stay for couple of hours before swimming away to deeper waters. Out of 119 community respondents in Labuhan Jambu village (Teluk Saleh) and Botubarani, Gorontalo, 80.7% knew about the occurrence of whale sharks in their locality. Of the 111 visitor respondents, 67.6% knew about the whale shark watching sites from word of mouth. The study results also suggest a correlation between chlorophyll-a concentration, anchovies, rebon shrimp and whale sharks. Regarding management approaches to this type of tourism, a local community-based management model is strongly recommended, with 87.4% of respondents showing interest in this approach. The roles and responsibility of local government in developing such tourism is very significant, especially with respect to facilitating appropriate competency within the local community throughout training and education, as suggested by nearly 26% of respondents.

Analysis of Economic Impacts on Community Welfare in the Whale Shark Tourism Coastal Area, Labuhan Jambu Village, Sumbawa Regency

“…Hiu paus memiliki nilai penting dalam pengembangan ekowisata karena termasuk jenis ikan yang jinak dan tidak agresif apabila berinteraksi dan muncul di permukaan (Djunaidi et al, 2020). Spesies Hiu Paus kerap melakukan pergerakan jarak jauh dan habitatnya tersebar hampir di seluruh perairan Indonesia, namun hanya dibeberapa lokasi yang terdokumentasikan agregasinya dalam jumlah besar, salah satunya di kecamatan Labuhan Jambu yaitu perairan Teluk Saleh yang terletak di antara Kabupaten Sumbawa dan Kabupaten Dompu.…”

Seasonal Constellation of Juvenile Whale Sharks in Gorontalo Bay Coastal Park

“…In several countries with regular seasonal constellation patterns, whale shark ecotourism areas have developed and attracted many tourists, such as in Oslob, Philippines (Craven, 2012), Isla Holbox, Mexico (Ziegler et al, 2012) and Ningaloo Reef, Australia (Mau, 2008). In Indonesia, several locations have been developed into whale shark tourism destinations such as Kwatisore Waters, Cendrawasih Bay National Park, Papua (Maruanaya et al, 2022), Bentar Beach Waters, Probolinggo (Kapinangasih et al, 2022), Labuhan Jambu Waters in Saleh Bay, Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara and Botubarani Waters, Gorontalo (Djunaidi et al, 2020).…”

Sustainability Ecotourism Complexity in Batu-Indonesia: CBE Implementation based on Tourists' Evaluation

“…Generally, there are several researches regarding the sustainability of ecotourism in Indonesia (Wibowo et al, 2021). Therefore, previous researchers have partially completed several policies about CBE and its principles in Indonesia, specifically about the theme of coastal biodiversity conservation and environmental awareness (Abidin et al, 2021), site suitability evaluation for ecotourism development (Yuwono et al, 2021), comparative and competitives advantages (Wardana et al, 2021), sustainable management (Sjaifuddin, 2020), and status and ecotourism potential (Djunaidi et al, 2020). Meanwhile, reviews about the implementation of CBE principles have been conducted in Clungup Mangrove Conservation (Husamah & Hudha, 2018), Gili Labak (Rahardjanto et al, 2019), mangrove ecotourism at Muara Kubu Mangrove Areas (Nugroho et al, 2019), and mangrove ecosystem of southern (Abidin et al, 2021).…”