RESTORASI TERUMBU KARANG UNTUK MENDUKUNG KEBERLANJUTAN EKOSISTEM LAUT DAN PENINGKATAN POPULASI IKAN DI PERAIRAN TANJUNG SEKEBEN

Abstract

Abstrak: Perairan Tanjung Sekeben di Desa Tembokrejo, Kecamatan Muncar, Kabupaten Banyuwangi mengalami kerusakan terumbu karang akibat praktik penangkapan ikan yang tidak ramah lingkungan, yang berdampak pada penurunan populasi ikan dan kesejahteraan nelayan. Program pengabdian ini bertujuan untuk memulihkan ekosistem terumbu karang melalui kegiatan transplantasi karang menggunakan kerangka buatan berbentuk spider dua ring serta meningkatkan kesadaran nelayan terhadap upaya konservasi laut. Kegiatan dilaksanakan pada tahun 2024–2025 dengan melibatkan 10 orang nelayan sebagai peserta sosialisasi dan pelatihan, serta 30 orang yang terlibat langsung dalam kegiatan restorasi dan monitoring. Metode pelaksanaan meliputi survei lokasi, sosialisasi dan penyampaian materi konservasi, pelatihan dan praktik pemasangan kerangka spider, transplantasi bibit terumbu karang, serta monitoring dan evaluasi secara berkala. Monitoring dilakukan oleh tim gabungan yang melibatkan nelayan, penyelam PT. Autore Pearl Culture, TNI Angkatan Laut Banyuwangi, dan Universitas Jember melalui observasi lapangan, dokumentasi visual, dan pengukuran pertumbuhan karang. Hasil kegiatan menunjukkan tingkat kelangsungan hidup bibit terumbu karang mencapai sekitar 95% dalam satu tahun, disertai peningkatan keterlekatan karang pada media tanam dan meningkatnya keberadaan biota laut di sekitar lokasi restorasi. Capaian ini menunjukkan bahwa metode transplantasi menggunakan kerangka spider efektif dalam mendukung pemulihan ekosistem terumbu karang dan memperkuat peran masyarakat dalam kegiatan konservasi laut.

Abstract: The waters of Tanjung Sekeben in Tembokrejo Village, Muncar Subdistrict, Banyuwangi Regency have experienced coral reef damage due to environmentally unfriendly fishing practices, which has resulted in a decline in fish populations and the welfare of fishermen. This community service program aims to restore the coral reef ecosystem through coral transplantation activities using two-ring spider-shaped frames and to raise fishermen's awareness of marine conservation efforts. The activities are carried out in 2024–2025 involving 10 fishermen as participants in socialization and training, as well as 30 people directly involved in restoration and monitoring activities. The implementation methods include site surveys, socialization and delivery of conservation materials, training and practice in installing spider frames, transplantation of coral seedlings, as well as periodic monitoring and evaluation. Monitoring was carried out by a joint team involving fishermen, divers from PT. Autore Pearl Culture, the Banyuwangi Naval Forces, and the University of Jember through field observations, visual documentation, and coral growth measurements. The results of the activity showed that the survival rate of coral seedlings reached around 95% within one year, accompanied by an increase in coral attachment to the planting media and a rise in the presence of marine life around the restoration site. These achievements indicate that the transplantation method using spider frames is effective in supporting the recovery of coral reef ecosystems and strengthening the role of the community in marine conservation activities.