Predation Intensity in Mangrove Ecosystem in Marine Protected Area, North Sulawesi

This study aims to get an overview of the intensity of predation on mangrove ecosystem in five marine protected areas (MPA), namely Tumbak, Basaan, Blongko, Bahoi and Tambun. The research method was carried out by installing Squidpops bait within one hour and calculating the number of lost bait during the exposure of baits in high tide. Fish species that migrate in the mangrove area are obtained through visual census; Mega Bentos is recorded.  The result of this study indicates the intensity of predation in the mangrove ecosystem in the five North Sulawesi DPLs are varied in each location, which has the possibility of being influenced by local condition, predatory fish population, the level of disturbance at observation, method and level of preference for the bait provided. Keywords: Predation, Predator, Mangrove, Fish Community, Squidpops ABSTRAK Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan gambaran intensitas predasi pada ekosistem mangrove di lima daerah perlindungan laut (DPL), yaitu Tumbak, Basaan, Blongko, Bahoi dan Tambun. Metode penelitian dilakukan dengan pemasangan umpan Squidpops dalam waktu 1 jam dan menghitung jumlah umpan yang hilang selama umpan terpapar pada saat air pasang. Jenis ikan yang bermigrasi di daerah mangrove diperoleh melalui sensus visual; mega bentos dicatat. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan intensitas predasi di ekosistem mangrove pada 5 DPL Sulawesi Utara bervariasi pada tiap lokasi yang memiliki kemungkinan dipengaruhi oleh kondisi lokal, populasi ikan predator, tingkat gangguan saat pengamatan, metode dan tingkat kesukaan pada umpan yang disediakan. Kata Kunci: Predasi, Predator-Mangsa, Mangrove, Komunitas Ikan, Squidpops