Evaluation of the compliance of the existing dumping area site criteria of marine spatial planning in Bengkulu city waters

Marine spatial planning is crucial because it facilitates integrated and sustainable management of various marine related activities in given environment. Based on the Bengkulu Marine Spatial Planning map, there is a particular zone for dumping areas that have permits accompanied by disposal coordinates. This study aims are to evaluate the determination of this dumping zones by comparing legal criteria and existing conditions and to present existing conditions with scientific principles. Early identification is important for prevention and mitigation planning. This study uses comparative normative and empirical methods, namely comparing two variables analyzing the suitability of each criterion such as water depth, potential sediment spread, navigation and protected area. The result shown that variables obtained based on national law are only 2 (two). Based on scientific calculations, the distance between the dumping area to the terestrial area is 3.86 Nm and the depth at the dumping area location is 32- 33 m. The additional variables in this study are the distance to the sensitive area, approximately 1.99 Nm and the range of seasonal current patterns during 2024 is 0.5012-33.033 cm/s. The highest value is in the east season and leads to the coastal ecosystem (Pulau Tikus). The results of scientific calculations show a discrepancy between the rules and implementation. This has already been included in the zoning plan so it is recommended to be reviewed.