Bioecological and Ecotourism Development Strategy of Whale Shark-Rhincodon Typus in Teluk Cenderwasih National Park
<p>A study on whale sharks have been carried out in Teluk Cenderawasih National Park (TCNP) on May-June 2014. The objectives of this study<br />were to analysis bioecological of whale shark, the perceptions of local communities and tourists on whale shark ecotourism development and to<...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
IPB University
2018-07-01
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| Series: | Media Konservasi |
| Online Access: | http://journal.ipb.ac.id/index.php/konservasi/article/view/22050 |
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| Summary: | <p>A study on whale sharks have been carried out in Teluk Cenderawasih National Park (TCNP) on May-June 2014. The objectives of this study<br />were to analysis bioecological of whale shark, the perceptions of local communities and tourists on whale shark ecotourism development and to<br />formulate the ecotourism development strategy in TCNP. Data were collected through observations and and counting the number of whale sharks,<br />gender identification and age categories, and estimation of body length; measurement of some environmental variables (sea surface temperature,<br />salinity, sea brightness); and regarding their perception of whale sharks as objects of tourist attraction. The result showed that the generally the<br />whale sharks come to the surface in waters that there are many bagan fisheries that many fish in the net. Whale sharks feed and come to the surface<br />in the fishing platform in the morning until noon with a duration of 15-30 minutes. Physical enviroment conditions of sea in TCNP were temperatures<br />28-31°C; salinity 33-34‰ and sea brightness 7-12 m. The total number of the emergence of the whale sharks was 30 times and identified as 15<br />animals, all young males, measuring between 3 and 6 m, generally do not have injuries. The perseptions of local communities about development of<br />whale shark ecotourism were positive and will be supported this program. Generally, most tourists, of which 87,88% of them were foreigners, gave<br />positive perceptions on whale shark attractions in TCTN, from attractive to very attractive, although there are some aspects of travel managements<br />that need to be improved, such as the availability of information services, tourist guides, and the comfort level. Some development strategies must be<br />done, i.e. continuous monitoring of whale shark, human resource capacity building, provision of tourist support infrastructure, coordination and<br />synergy with stakeholders, and increase public awareness and the development of cultural tourism attractions as an integrated ecotuorism program.</p><p>Keywords: bioecological, ecotourism, development strategy, Teluk Cenderwasih National Park, whale shark</p><p> </p> |
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| ISSN: | 0215-1677 2502-6313 |