Bunaken National Park

Bunaken National Park is a marine park located in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The park is located in the Coral Triangle, a habitat for 390 species of coral reef [2] as well as various species of fish, mollusks, reptiles and marine mammals. Bunaken National Park is representative of Indonesian marine ecosystems, including seagrass meadows, coral reefs and coastal ecosystems. [3]

his national park was established in 1991 and covers an area of 890.65 km². 97% of the national park is a marine habitat, while the remaining 3% is land, includes five islands: Bunaken, Manado Tua, Mantehage, Naen and Siladen.

Flora and fauna

Bunaken National Park has a coral reef ecosystems are very rich. [3] There are about 390 species of coral reefs in this region. [2] The species of algae that can be found in the Bunaken National Park is Caulerpa, Halimeda and Padina, while seaweed species were encountered is Thalassia hemprichii, Enhallus acoroides, and Thalassaodendron ciliatum. Bunaken National Park also has a variety of species of fish, marine mammals, reptiles, birds, mollusks and mangroves. [3] About 90 species of fish living in waters of this region.

On the mainland, the island is rich in Arecaceae, sago, woka, silar and coconut. In addition, the Bunaken National Park also has animal species that live on the mainland, such as deer and possum. Mangrove forest in the park is a habitat for crabs, lobsters, molluscs and sea birds. [3]

Human activity

In this region, there are 22 villages with a population of around 35,000. Most of them work as fishermen or farmers coconuts, yams, bananas and seaweed for export, while others work as a guide, workers cottages and captains. [4]

Tourism in the region continue to be developed. Between 2003 and 2006, the number of visitors in the Bunaken National Park reach 32,000 to 39,000 inhabitants, with 8-10000 them are foreign tourists. [1]

Conservation and threats

Bunaken National Park was formally established in 1991 and is one of the first marine park in Indonesia. In 2005, Indonesia's national parks register to UNESCO for inclusion into the World Heritage Site. [5] Although it has the status of a national park and get adequate funding, the park is experiencing minor degradation caused by mining coral reefs, anchor damage, the use of bombs and cyanide in fishing, diving and garbage. [1] World Wildlife Fund (WWF) provides conservation assistance as part of the "Sulu Sulawesi Marine Eco-region Action Plan". Conservation includes patrol, which managed to reduce the use of bombs in catching fish. [6]