The Gastropod Community Structure of Lautaka Coastal Area: its utilization and sustainble management strategy

The Lautaka coastal waters are known for their high diversity of gastropods, which are an essential food source for the local community alongside fish. However, this biological resource faces pressure from human activities, such as mollusk harvesting during low tide. This study aims to analyze the community structure of gastropod populations in Lautaka, focusing on species density, relative density, frequency of occurrence, and key ecological indices, including the diversity index, evenness index, and Simpson’s dominance index. Additionally, the research explores the impact of gastropod utilization on their abundance and proposes strategies for sustainable management. The study was conducted in January 2023, the study identified 25 gastropod species across 4 orders, 13 families, and 18 genera, with a total of 908 individuals recorded. Thalessa aculeata had the highest density, relative density, and frequency of occurrence, while Lentigo lentiginosus and Lambis chiragra had the lowest. The species diversity in Lautaka’s waters was classified as moderate, with high evenness and low dominance levels. Three distinct distribution patterns of gastropods were observed: uniform, random, and clustered. The study also identified four primary ways in which gastropods are utilized by the local community. To ensure the sustainability of these resources, eleven management strategies were formulated based on a SWOT analysis.