Assessing a Super Priority Diving Ecotourism Destination-Bangka Island, Likupang as an Alternative to Bunaken Marine Protected Area

Likupang, with Bangka Island as its main target area, has been designated as a super-priority tourism destination that will receive spillover tourism from Bunaken National Park, as the carrying capacity of the latter has reached 50%. This study aimed to analyze the suitability and carrying capacity of diving ecotourism areas at six dive sites on Bangka Island from April to December 2023. An explorative descriptive method was employed. Measurements of physical water parameters, such as depth, brightness, and current speed, were conducted in situ. Coral data were obtained using the point-intercept transect (PIT) method, while reef fish species were recorded through scuba diving and underwater visual census (UVC) techniques performed by two diving instructors. Data on water parameters, corals, and reef fish were then analyzed to determine the diving ecotourism suitability index and the area’s carrying capacity for diving activities. Based on the analysis results, the average percentage of coral cover across the six dive sites on Bangka Island was 64 ± 14%, with 13 types of life forms identified. A total of 225 reef fish species were recorded, with a diversity index of 3.28, an evenness index of 0.71, and a dominance index of 0.07. The physical condition of the waters supports the development of diving ecotourism activities. The average suitability index for diving ecotourism on Bangka Island falls into the “suitable” category, indicating that the area has favorable physical and biological characteristics for diving. Furthermore, the recommended carrying capacity for diving ecotourism activities on Bangka Island is 38 people per day per site per trip.