Analysis of Water Environment Support for Marine Ecotourism Suitability Category Diving in Ataúro Island

Abstract

Ataúro Island is one of the islands in Timor-Leste which has a fairly complete coastal and marine ecosystem, (coral reefs, seagrass and a few mangrove). Ataúro Island also has several long white sandy beaches where green sea turtle and Hawksbill Sea turtle are often found laying eggs in certain seasons. Coral reefs on Ataúro Island attract tourists to visit. This study aims to determine the suitability of the environmental carrying capacity of the diving category based on diving marine ecotourism suitability index. Data collection was carried out from September to November. The method used in this study is the intercept photo transects method, and water quality sampling. The results of the analysis of water quality on the island of Ataúro based on the Decree of the Minister of Environment 51 of 2004 concerning that sea water quality standards for marine ecotourism, it can be concluded that the average water quality on the island meets the quality standards. Live coral cover in all study sites had a cover of 54.80% in the 'good' category, analysis of the diving marine ecotourism suitability index for the diving category in Beloi village 75.93% in the appropriate category, Vila-Maumeta village 66.67% suitable, Biqueli 61.11% suitable.