Biodiversity and Vulnerability of Fisheries Resources in Berau Bay, West Papua Province

Berau Bay, located in West Papua Province, is one of Indonesia's marine areas rich in biodiversity. This aquatic ecosystem is a crucial habitat for various fish species, which hold ecological and economic value for the local communities reliant on fisheries. However, increased human activities, including intensive fishing, pollution, and climate change, pose severe threats to the sustainability of fish resources in this region. This research aims to assess the biodiversity and vulnerability levels of fish resources in the waters of Berau Bay. The methods used include field surveys, fish sampling, species identification analysis, and calculating the diversity index. The vulnerability levels of fish resources are determined by categorizing their conservation status according to the IUCN Red List. The study results indicate that Berau Bay has a relatively high level of biodiversity with low dominance. The highest biodiversity index value in Berau Bay waters is 3.35, dominated by the families Carangidae and Scombridae. The vulnerability analysis results show that 85.71% have a low vulnerability level. However, several species exhibit high vulnerability due to excessive fishing activities, pollution, and climate change. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing effective conservation measures to ensure the sustainability of fish resources in this area. Efforts to protect habitats, manage sustainable fishing practices, and educate the local community are expected to reduce vulnerability and enhance the sustainability of the Berau Bay aquatic ecosystem.