TITLE:
Preliminary Study on the Distribution of Irrawaddy Dolphin, Orcaella brevirostris, in Banten Bay
AUTHORS:
Muta Ali Khalifa, Mohammad Mukhlis Kamal, Enan Mulyana Adiwilaga, Adriani Sunuddin
KEYWORDS:
Banten Bay, Distribution, Environmental Threats, Irrawaddy Dolphin
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Marine Science,
Vol.4 No.4,
October
30,
2014
ABSTRACT: Irrawaddy
dolphins (Orcaella
brevirostris) are aquatic mammals with critically endangered
status able to live in different water salinities habitats, like estuary, rivers
and lakes. Banten Bay features estuarine area where rapid economic development,
contributed from industry, ports, mining and fisheries, takes place, and thus
the presence of Irrawaddy dolphins in the area faces various environmental
threats. This research aimed to study the distribution of Irrawaddy dolphins in
Banten Bay and explore environmental factors threatening its life. Dolphins
observation was conducted from January 2013-February 2014, using direct visual
effort by team of observer and indirect effort by local fishermen. Direct
visual effort was performed on boat by three observers, with maximum vessel speed 15 km/hour and total length of
transect was 404 Km. Indirect visual effort comprised of regular assessment by
32 local fishermen when they conducted capture fishing at two different areas
(South and North of Banten Bay). Sightings data from direct and indirect visual
observation compiled with respondents opinion were mapped using Arc View®GIS 3.3, resulting in distribution
map of Irrawaddy dolphin in Banten Bay. Irrawaddy dolphin was most frequently
observed in the northeast, south and central areas of the bay. Environmental
threats alarming the lives of Irrawaddy dolphin in the Banten Bay may include
noise pollution, boat accident and entanglement.