Potential coral implementation area for Indonesia Coral Reef Garden in Nusa Dua, Bali

Abstract

Abstract The Indonesia Coral Reef Garden (ICRG) program is announced as a coral reef restoration program which can support the marine tourism sector since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Indonesia, particularly in Bali. A comprehensive survey and preliminary study are necessary to be conducted to decide a suitable point or to avoid a premature choice for the restoration location. Field survey in Nusa Dua, Bali was carried out on November-December 2020 to determine physical and chemical characteristics of seawater which appropriate for coral life. The bathymetry result at Nusa Dua, Bali varied from shallow to middle water depth. Area covered with coral, soft coral, coral and sand, sand, and seaweed on the seabed are found over study area. In the depth close to the seabed, the sea condition of temperature, salinity, pH, turbidity, and DO is 26.04 - 28.48 °C, 33.95 - 34.29 PSU, 7.933 - 7.982, 0.81 - 2.44 FTU, and 4.40 - 4.93 mg/L, respectively. Based on the conformity of water quality, the middle depth region has sufficient condition for coral growth. Simple Addition Weighting method is used for determining potential location. The potential coral implementation is located 3-5 km from Tanjung Benoa and in south of Nusa Dua around 1-3 km from coast.