Marine protected areas do not affect benthic invertebrate communities in North Sulawesi, Indonesia

North Sulawesi is part of the Coral Triangle ecoregion and one of Indonesia’s most popular diving destinations. It comprises many islands, including Bunaken National Marine Park. Studies focusing on the non-coral benthic invertebrates in marine tourism areas were limited. This study initiates a survey of mollusks and echinoderms in the intertidal area, which encompasses coral reef and seagrass-dominated habitats in North Sulawesi, to understand their diversity and abundance, and to compare these between the marine protected area (MPA) and non-MPA. A total of 935 individuals, comprising 24 species, were observed. Linckia laevigata was the dominant species at most study sites, while Drupella cornus and Diadema setosum were dominant at a particular site within the coral reef habitat. L. laevigata , Protoreaster nodosus , and Echinometra mathaei were dominant at a particular site within a seagrass-dominated habitat. Three taxa were found in all study sites: L. laevigata , Drupella cornus , and Tridacna spp. Economically important taxa (sea cucumbers and giant clams) were recorded in low numbers. Overall, species richness in the MPA was not much different from that in the non-MPA. Understanding the community structure and assemblage of mollusks and echinoderms can serve as baseline information to support the reassessment of the zonation of the North Sulawesi conservation area.