Potency of Different Seaweeds as Diets for Developing Abalone (H. squamata) Culture in Nusa Penida Island, Bali

Nusa Penida island is one of center for seaweed culture in Bali province. Seaweed that cultured is Euchema spinosum and Euchema cottoni spread around coastal. There also found wild seaweed, such as Ulva sp and Gracillaria sp. Abalone ( H. squamata ) is one of kind Mollusca which high economic value, but abalone cultured is not yet develop in Nusa Penida island, although this island have high potency for developing abalone culture. Abalone culture needs seaweeds as a diet. The abundance of seaweeds as abalon diet is important for developing abalon culture in Nusa Penida Island in the future. The aim of this research was to asses the potency of seaweeds as diet for developing abalone culture in Nusa Penida island. Research was done in Batununggul village, Nusa Penida Island. Experimental design was used Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments were used different seaweeds as diet for abalone culture: (DG=Diet Gracillaria sp, DS=Diet Spinosum sp. and DU=Diet Ulva sp.). Abalon were cultured for 4 months by feeding the diet at satiation. Data analysis was used analysis varian (Anova) with SPSS. 16. The result showed abalon fed with Gracillaria sp (DG) at 4.73 g was the highest growth by 4.73 g, followed DU by 3.93 g and DS by 3.43 g. Meanwhile the abalon shell length fed with Gracillaria sp (DG) was the highest growth by 6.55 mm, followed DU by 5.97 mm and DS by 5.60 mm. Based on variant analysis showed growth performance (length shell and weight) abalon, all treatments were not significantly different (P>0.05). The conclusion this research, the three species of seaweed can be used as diet for abalone culture. These seaweeds have same potency as diet for developing abalone culture in Nusa Penida Island