Fish community structure based on density and coverage of seagrass meadows in North Oba, Tidore Islands, North Maluku

The high density and diversity of seagrass meadows help fish communities, because seagrass vegetation is utilized as a direct food source for herbivore fish, as foraging area for various fish species, nursery ground, protected area and spawning ground. This study aims to characterize the fish community structure based on seagrass meadows ecological condition. The methods used are the line transect and different fishing methods. The results of the study showed a healthy seagrass condition in Sibu Island and Tanjung Gosale, while the seagrass in Guraping Village is unhealthy and in Galala Village is poor. The density of seagrass species in Sibu Island and in Tanjung Gosale is categorized as solid, while the category in Guraping Village is sparse and in Galala Village very rare. Fish abundance is highest in Sibu Island (21 species, 286 individuals) with a good healthy condition. Tanjung Gosale (18 species, 188 individuals) had a good healthy condition of seagrass and Guraping Village (13 species, 93 individuals) presented damaged conditions. Abundance of fish in Galala Village was comprised of 8 species, 63 individuals, with a damaged condition. Fish community structure showed a medium diversity of fish, low dominance and normal distribution.