Resource management of coconut crab (Birgus latro) in liwo island, north maluku of Indonesia

Coconut crab (Birgus latro) has ecological and economical value that only found in the islands which influenced by the Pacific and Indian Ocean currents, including Liwo Island. The research was done to describe a resource management of coconut crab (Birgus latro) in Liwo island according to the distribution and biological analysis of coconut crab. Data sampling was conducted in February-September 2013, data collection consisted of littoral rainforest vegetation, microhabitat and biological condition of coconut crab (thoracic length, weight, sex and gonad maturity). The result showed that Liwo Island microhabitat condition support the presence of coconut crab. Species diversity of littoral forest vegetation was low. Vegetation was dominated by Calophyllum inophyllum, Erythrina variegata, Areca catechu, Maga (Magnoliopsida) and Pandanus tectorius. Coconut crab population size was 1153 crabs with population density 5 crabs/Ha. The range of thorax length 3-66.09 mm with average of thorax length 23.46 mm. Growth pattern was included in allometric minor. This population was dominated by adult coconut crab with developing reproduction organ followed by functionally mature reproduction organ. A smaller catchable amount of coconut crab indicated that the resource management sustainability was needed to regulate catchable amount and size that involved of local community and relevant institutions.