HABITAT ASSESSMENT OF WHALE SHARKS (RHINCODON TYPUS) IN SALEH BAY, INDONESIA: LINKING CHLOROPHYLL-A AND SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE USING AQUA MODIS DATA

Saleh Bay is between Sumbawa Regency and Dompu Regency in Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) Province, Indonesia.It is spanning approximately 2,123 km.This semi-enclosed marine environment, designated as a protected marine area, connects directly to the Flores Sea and serves as a critical habitat for whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), an endangered species fully protected in Indonesia since 2013.This study aims to assess whale shark habitats by investigating their appearances and analyzing the relationship between Sea Surface Temperature (SST), Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration, and whale shark occurrences using Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (Aqua MODIS) data in the marine waters of Saleh Bay.The Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation method in Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) was applied to process Chl-a and SST data, while field surveys provided records of whale shark sightings.From February, March, and April 2024, a total of 36 whale shark sightings were documented, corresponding to Chl-a concentrations ranging from 0.20 to 3.45 mg/m and SST values between 29.47-33.85C.The analysis revealed significant relationships between whale shark occurrences and environmental factors, with coefficients of determination (R) of 0.9055 for February, 0.8959 for March, and 0.4638 for April.These results emphasize the importance of food availability (indicated by Chl-a) and SST in shaping whale shark distribution and behavior.The study underscores the importance of integrating SST and Chl-a monitoring into conservation and management strategies.By identifying key environmental drivers that shape whale shark habitats, this research offers valuable insights to support sustainable ecotourism initiatives and ensure the long-term protection of whale sharks in Saleh Bay.