Development of Morotai Island-North Maluku based on oceanographic-ecosystem condition

Abstract

Morotai Island is developing district located in the North of North Halmahera and one of the areas that has potential source from ecosystem biodiversity. This biodiversity is very unique related to ocean condition such as ocean currents and other properties. This research used survey data in 2015 and other data from satellite and database insitu. The results showed that the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) ranges from 26.7 0 C to 32.8 0 C and the salinity ranges from 33.48 to 36.8 psu characterized by open ocean. The ocean currents patterns different in surrounding area due to variety of depth, tide effect, monsoonal situation, and local aspects. The mangrove area mostly located in the south, while coral reef stands in the almost coastal area. This region is mostly influenced by monsoons and also the Indonesia throughflow. From the results, the location in the southern part is very suitable for marine culture and tourism, while in the northern region it is very suitable for tourism, conservancy, and fishing. These activities will lead Morotai as an important area for enhancing the local revenue.

Morphometrics and long-weight relationship Halmahera walking shark (Hemiscyllium halmahera, Allen, 2013) population in Morotai Island Sea, North Maluku, Indonesia

“…The distribution of coral communities was found in Morotai waters [35], [36], although the data showed low coral cover. Coral cover conditions were low (30%) until moderate (50%) [37]- [40]. The coral reef ecosystems serve as a habitat for the Hemiscylliidae family (spawning ground, nursery ground, and feeding ground) [21], [23], [41], [42].…”

“…The local surface current velocity on Morotai Island from January to April ranges from 0.0037-0.6598 m/s (Mean velocity/month is 0.2041-0.2693 m/s, and July-October ranges from 0.0085-1.0252 m/s (Mean velocity/month is 0.4135-0.4238 m) /s) [62]. The local surface current velocity in Morotai Island has been reported [63] in Kokoya Island, Morotai at 0.74-0.8 m/s, [37] in Morotai Island at 0.05-1.5 m/s, [39] in Daruba coastal, Morotai at 0.05-0.07 m/s and [47] in Morotai Island is 1-5 m/s.…”

Relationship between the biomass of reef shark and fish in South Morotai Waters, North Maluku, Indonesia

“…There were several physicals, structural (Gove et al 2013), and coral reef conditions (Coral Triangle Center 2017) differences that vary across locations explaining the variation in reef shark diversity and biomass. And was found to vary from worse and moderate to good in several islands of Morotai (Coral Triangle Center 2017;Purba et al 2019). Coral-reef health is an essential driver for the abundance of sharks (Espinoza et al 2014).…”

Population Structure of the Halmahera Walking Shark (Hemiscylium halmahera) Endemic Species in Morotai Island Sea, North Maluku, Indonesia

“…Information and data are adequate to be utilized in launching species conservation policies. 30.3-71.06% of the coral is covered, and the southern portion of Morotai Island has a distribution of mangroves and seagrass (Koroy et al, 2019;Purba et al, 2019;Wahab et al, 2020).The existence of fish species, particularly the Halmahera walking shark, is supported by the presence of coastal ecosystems.…”