Sustainability Analysis of Coral Reef Conservation-Based Ecotourism: Integration of Sasi Local Wisdom and the RAPFISH Approach (Case Study: Ur Pulau Village, Southeast Maluku)

Abstract

Ur Pulau Village in Southeast Maluku has significant marine ecotourism potential thanks to its coral reef ecosystem, but faces the threat of degradation due to anthropogenic activities. This study aims to analyze the sustainability status of coral reef conservation-based ecotourism management in Ur Pulau Village multidimensionally. The research method uses a semi-quantitative approach with the Rapid Appraisal for Fisheries (RAPFISH) technique modified for ecotourism. The analysis was conducted on five dimensions of sustainability: (1) Ecology, (2) Economy, (3) Socio-Cultural, (4) Technology and Infrastructure, and (5) Law and Institutions. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, interviews, and observations of 38 key respondents consisting of the community, village government, tourism actors, and related agencies. The results of the Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) analysis show that the overall status of ecotourism management is in the Sustainable Category with an average index value of 60.56. The Legal and Institutional Dimension is the strongest dimension (67.93), which is supported by the ongoing local wisdom of Sasi. In contrast, the Technology and Infrastructure dimension is the weakest dimension (48.71) with a status of Less Sustainable. Leverage analysis identified the most sensitive attributes that need immediate attention, including coral damage due to poison/potash (ecology), high monitoring costs (economic), and low levels of education (social). This study confirms that Sasi local wisdom is a fundamental social capital, but long-term sustainability requires strategic interventions to strengthen environmentally friendly infrastructure and formalize customary institutions into village regulations